Market-motivated top 100 gear products to consumer needs: renewed emphasis on products with 'marketing muscle.'

Food Processing magazine's annual report on the 100 top companies in the food industry shows a slight improvement in sales for 1983 over l982. General Foods was number one in sales followed by Beatrice Foods Co. Several food companies, including CPC International, Anheuser-Busch and Stouffer Foods, plan expansions in 1984. Important acquisitions in 1983 include Quaker Oats takeover of Stokely-Van Camp and Esmark purchase of Norton Simon Inc.