Ajinomoto Co., Tokyo, Japan, said its Ajinomoto Frozen Foods USA business will increase its Portland, Ore., plant capacity by 20 percent. The factory currently has three lines producing as many as 10 retail packaged frozen rice dishes including gyudon beef bowls, fried rice and pilaf. The operation also produces industrial rice for further prepared food applications . . . After a recent fire destroyed their St. Charles, Minn., plant, officials at North Star Foods Inc. told local city officials that they are determined to rebuild the company's meat processing operation. However, the Winona (Minn.) Daily News reports that other Minnesota towns -- including Rochester and Lake City -- are bidding for the operation. Prior to the fire on Friday, April 17, North Star employed as many as 250 people.