LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Yum! Brands Inc. said Thursday that it expects at least 10 percent EPS growth for 2009. The QSR operator also reaffirmed its 2008 EPS growth of 12 percent, excluding special items.

The company said its fourth-quarter trends showed strong system-sales growth of 19 percent in mainland China on a local currency basis. Same-store sales growth grew four percent in China and two percent in the United States.

“We look forward to illustrating how our global portfolio of brands will continue to build on our consistent track record of EPS growth, led by international new unit development, same-store-sales growth, and industry-leading returns,” said David C. Novak, chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe these are the key drivers of increasing long-term shareholder value for our business.”

Source: Yum! Brands Inc.

WASHINGTON – The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued three new notices regulating pesticides, data verification and the Performance-Based Inspection System (PBIS) Citation list.

Notice 91-08 informs inspection program personnel that FSIS will be cooperating with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) on testing of high consumption meat and poultry products for pesticide residues. This survey for beef will begin on or about Dec. 15 and should end by Sept. 30, 2009. This study will consist of 600 muscle and fat samples from beef cows, dairy cows, steers and heifers.

To view this notice, click here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/91-08.pdf.

Notice 92-08 provides Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review (OPEER) Compliance and Investigation Division (CID) investigators with instructions regarding the verification of assignment codes and other data entered into AssuranceNet.

To view this notice, click here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/92-08.pdf.

Notice 93-08 announces that FSIS has updated the list of regulation citations in the PBIS to reflect the changes made in 9 CFR 310.22 by the final rule, “Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle; Prohibition of the Use of Certain Stunning Devices Used to Immobilize Cattle During Slaughter.”

To view this notice, click here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/93-08.pdf.

Source: American Meat Institute