Food Roundup: ConAgra Tragedy, Starbucks Mishap, Coke Zero Ban, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Three killed in ConAgra plant explosion -- The roof collapsed from an explosion at a Slim Jim snack factory in Garner, North Carolina on Tuesday, killing three ConAgra employees and injuring dozens of others. The cause of the explosion is not known, but so far authorities say it does not look like foul play. The building has not yet been declared safe enough for investigators to enter. [Sources: AP, Meat & Poultry]

Starbucks resolves double charge -- The coffee chain said Wednesday it had reimbursed the one million customers it accidentally overcharged on Memorial Day weekend. The computer system apparently ran debit and credit card purchases twice, resulting in double charges that customers would not see on their receipt. The company has apologized for the problem and says it has since been fully resolved. [Sources: Daily Bread, AP]

Venezuela bans Coke Zero -- The country's health minister ordered the calorie-free drink pulled from shelves across the country in order to "preserve the health of Venezuelans," though he did not specify any potential risks. The Coca-Cola Company is complying with the order, though it says the product is perfectly safe. [Sources: Reuters, Just-Drinks]

Crop prices may rise -- As corn and soybean reserves reach their lowest levels in years, prices on the crops could shoot up again, resulting in higher food prices. Companies like General Mills and Tyson Foods could see their costs skyrocket, and they would likely have to pass some of those costs onto consumers -- though the companies say they don't expect prices to surpass last summer's peak. [Source: AP]

Pepsi Bottling Group continues expansion -- The company just announced plans to buy Ab-Tex Beverage in Texas, one of five bottlers it has decided to purchase since rejecting PepsiCo's buyback offer in May. PepsiCo tried to purchase the shares it did not already own in both Pepsi Bottling and PepsiAmericas, but the two bottlers said the offer was too low. [Source: TheStreet.com]