Food companies must to go greener

At least 30% of shoppers look for environmentally friendly products and packages in the US.

 Fearing retribution from environmentalists that could taint their brands, Kraft and Sara Lee are among companies responding by reducing the amount of energy and water they use.

Kraft reports on its Web site that it has decreased energy usage by 14% in the last five years. The Northfield company is powering about a third of a New York plant with methane gas created by adding bacteria to whey, a byproduct of cream cheese production. It also has repackaged its Miracle Whip in plastic containers instead of glass, reducing the number of trucks needed for distribution.