WalMart Stores Inc. has become the first nationwide US grocery chain to require suppliers of its private label and other food products such as produce, meat, fish, poultry and RTE foods to have their factories certified against one of the internationally recognized Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards. GFSI standards provide real-time details on where suppliers fall short in food safety on a plant-by-plant basis, and go beyond the current FDA and USDA required audit processes.

Dunkin’ Brands Inc. realigned its organizational structure by combining the US and international teams for its Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands. Will Kussel was named president and chief brand officer for Dunkin’ Donuts Worldwide and Srinivas Kumar, previously VP of International for Dunkin’ Brands, will assume the position of chief brand officer, Baskin-Robbins Worldwide.

Kellogg Company acquired The United Bakers Group, one of Russia’s largest cracker, biscuit and breakfast cereal producers. United Bakers’ products, marketed primarily under the Yantar and Lyubyatovo brands, are a strong strategic fit with the Kellogg portfolio, and hold number one or number two positions in their respective categories.

Surinder Kumar, chief innovation officer, will retire from the Wrigley Company on July 1, 2008, and Rob Peterson, currently vice president-new products and packaging, will succeed him.

Peter Popoff was named president of Parker Hannifin Corp.’s Filtration Group. Popoff replaces retiring John Oelslager who served 41 years with the company.

Jim Hinds, who co-founded the Hinds-Bock Corp. in 1976, passed away after a battle with Supra-Nuclear Palsy. Hinds began his career in the food machinery manufacturing business in 1968 with the Philip Bock Company. Hinds retired from his active duties at Hinds-Bock in 1996.

AFC Enterprises, Inc., the franchisor and operator of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, announced the appointments of Richard Lynch as chief marketing officer and Ralph Bower as chief operations officer of its Popeyes brand.

Dean Foods named Harrald Kroeker president, direct store delivery group; Michelle Goolsby EVP, development, sustainability and corporate affairs; and Greg McKelvey SVP,  strategy and marketing services.

CH2M, appointed Mike McKelvy as president and group CEO for the industrial client group, Mike Gearhart as president of manufacturing and life sciences, Thomas Searle as president of international business and Steve Gelman as head of the new industrial systems group.