NEW NYC ADS WARN ABOUT SWEET TEA, ENERGY DRINKS:NEW YORK (AP) — New York City's campaign to cut consumption of sugary drinks now features ads warning people about sweet teas, sports and energy drinks and fruit-flavored beverages.
The city health department launched the TV and bus ads Monday. The spots say such drinks might sound healthy but are packed with added sugar and that can lead to obesity and other health problems.
The ads cost about $1.4 million. They further a "pouring on the pounds" campaign that dates to 2009.
The American Beverage Association says the ads oversimplify the causes of obesity.
The city and soft drink makers and sellers are in court over the city's effort to cap the sizes of soda and other sugary drinks sold in many eateries. A judge struck down the measure, but the city has appealed.
CHIPOTLE TO OPEN MORE SHOPHOUSE LOCATIONS: DENVER (AP) — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is announcing plans to open four more of its ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants but says its growth will still be driven primarily by developing the Chipotle brand in the U.S.
Denver-based Chipotle opened its first ShopHouse in the nation's capital in 2011, using Chipotle's model of customized fast-casual entrees but with a Southeast Asian menu. In coming weeks, one more location in Washington and two in the Los Angeles area are slated to open.
Chipotle said Monday it also plans to open a ShopHouse in Westwood, Calif., and one in Bethesda, Md., late this year, with locations in Rockville, Md., and Washington slated to open next year.
WAL-MART AIMS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS IN PRODUCE: NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which is struggling to keep its produce aisles fresh, is announcing steps to improve the quality of its fresh fruits and vegetables.
The nation's largest grocer says Monday it is making more changes in its operations, training and sourcing as it addresses concerns about the bananas, lettuce and other produce it sells.
Changes include delivering produce from farms to store shelves more quickly by purchasing fruits and vegetables directly from local growers. It's also conducting independent weekly checks of the produce aisles at its more than, 3,400 Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Express stores.
Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., said it also launched a produce training program for 70,000 associates, including store managers, that teaches them how to better handle fruits and vegetables.
NEVADA HIGH COURT TO CONSIDER FATE OF VEGAS HOTEL: LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court is about to hear arguments about the fate of a flawed hotel tower that was designed to be the centerpiece of MGM Resorts International's glittery CityCenter development on the Las Vegas Strip, but never opened.
The question before five justices at a Tuesday hearing in Las Vegas could decide whether the 26-story Harmon Hotel tower is demolished — and when.
MGM Resorts wants the structure torn down before a Clark County District Court jury begins hearing a nearly $500 million construction defect lawsuit next January.
Project general contractor Tutor Perini Corp. argues that demolishing the tower before trial would prevent the civil court jury from seeing work that was completed — and hurt the company's case by leaving the impression the building was unsafe.
