Chobani yogurt processor Agro Farma, Norwich, N.Y.,said it  purchased Australia's Bead Foods Pty Ltd. a Melbourne-based processor of Gippsland Dairy retail dairy products.

Diversified foods giant General Mills, Minneapolis, said it signed definitive agreements with PAI partners and Sodiaal to acquire a 51 percent controlling interest in Yoplait S.A.S.

Twin Cities Business reported that Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Kansas City, Mo., is in talks with HP Hood LLC, Lynnfield, Mass., to acquire Kemps LLC.

Despite a weak economy, consumer packaged goods marketers are developing new products that raise the bar on consumer expectations around everyday CPG solutions.

Just a few months after selling a western regional yogurt brand to General Mills, dairy giant Dean Foods, Dallas, agreed to sell its private label yogurt business and several plants.

The Modesto (Calif.) Bee reported that Modesto-based Foster Farms agreed to buy two ice cream plants in Sacramento, Calif.; and Salem, Ore., from Matterhorn Group Inc.

Already a leader in the U.S. retail refrigerated yogurt category, Danone, Paris, said it agreed to purchase foodservice frozen yogurt mix supplier YoCream International Inc., Portland, Ore., for $103 million.

Diversified foods giant General Mills, Minneapolis, said it improved the health profile of products comprising 25 percent of its U.S. retail sales during fiscal 2010.

Organic yogurt processor Stonyfield Farm, Londonderry, N.H., said it is introducing the first yogurt cup made from plants.

General Mills plans to spend approximately $100 million and expand Yoplait yogurt operations in Murfreesboro, Tenn.