Consumer Briefing

Domino’s changing its pizza recipe

Domino’s Pizza Inc., the second-largest U.S. pizza chain, has overhauled its recipe after six straight quarters of declining revenue.

The new formula features a garlic- and parsley-seasoned crust, a sweeter tomato sauce and a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheeses, the Ann Arbor, Mich., company said. Domino’s is rolling out the new recipe nationwide today after a soft launch in some of the chain’s 4,900 U.S. locations.

Domino’s is the No. 1 pizza delivery company in the U.S., according to consulting firm NPD. It wants to elevate the quality of its pizza to that of its delivery service, said Mark Smith, an analyst with Feltl & Co. The goal is to gain share from Yum Brands Inc.’s Pizza Hut, the biggest pizza chain, and Papa John’s International Inc., which has been adding U.S. stores, he said.

Domino’s spent two years developing the new recipe, testing more than 15 variations of sauce, dozens of cheese blends and about 50 seasonings, said Patrick Doyle, president of the U.S. business. The new ingredients will increase Domino’s food costs, although Doyle says he expects to sell enough pizzas to cover the expense. He wouldn’t discuss the effect on profit margins.

PREPARED FOODS

Hormel to push pricier products

Hormel Foods Inc. plans to boost its advertising to persuade cash-strapped shoppers to pay extra for its pricier items, like microwave meals.

Hormel has benefited along with other food makers as consumers eat at home more to save money. Sales of Hormel’s lower-priced foods, including Dinty Moore stews and Spam, have been rising as consumers look for value.

The company hasn’t been as lucky when it comes to selling more expensive products, such is its Compleats microwaveable meals, which offer convenience but command a premium price.

Chief Executive Jeffrey Ettinger said Hormel would renew its focus on driving sales after a drop in the fourth quarter and increase advertising spending in the new fiscal year.

TRAVEL

Flu fears higher, Harvard poll says

More than half of adult travelers say they are taking more precautions against flu this year compared with last year, according to a poll conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health.

Eighty-one percent of adults who traveled by plane, bus, train or cruise ship in the last year said they would sneeze into their elbow rather than their hands on their next trip, compared with 64% who said they took this precaution on their last trip.

Seventy-six percent said they would bring hand sanitizer with them in carry-on baggage, compared with 61% who said they did so last year, and 49% said they would get a seasonal flu vaccine to prevent catching the flu while traveling, compared with 35% who said they did so last year.

Travelers are more worried about getting flu in airplanes than in other mode of transportation, with 52% saying they were very concerned or somewhat concerned that they or a family member would get sick with H1N1 or seasonal flu while flying in the next year.

Capitol Visitor Center bustles

The Capitol Visitor Center in Washington has hosted 2.3 million people since opening a year ago. That’s twice the number of people who visited the Capitol in the year before the visitor center existed.

In the past, before the center’s exhibition hall and restaurant opened, people visiting the Capitol typically waited in line outside -- sometimes for hours -- for a tour. Now, they can reserve a tour spot ahead of time, or even walk in and join the next available tour.

The visitor center, which opened Dec. 2, 2008, offers a short film about Congress and the construction of the Capitol, and the 16,500-square-foot exhibition hall displays unusual artifacts and documents related to Congress and the Capitol. The center has a 500-seat restaurant, gift shops and restrooms.

Details about the center and its exhibits are at www.visitthecapitol.gov.

RECALL

Evenflo cake toys pose choking risk

About 66,000 Evenflo ExerSaucer 1-2-3 Tea for Me activity learning centers, manufactured in China by Evenflo Co. of Miamisburg, Ohio, are being recalled because the simulated candle flame on top of the cake toy can detach and pose a choking risk. An additional 13,660 units were recalled in Canada. The company has received 11 reports of detached flames in both countries, but no reports on injuries. The activity centers were sold at Toys R Us and other children’s stores between December 2007 and March 2009. Information: (800) 233-5921, safety.evenflo.com or www.cpsc.gov.

-- times staff and wire reports