Ecolab, DuPont partner on bacteria-fighting coating: Ecolab Inc. and DuPont Co. are partnering to launch a coating technology that food processing companies can use to lower the risk of contamination, the companies announced Tuesday. The antimicrobial coating would help ward off bacteria, such as Salmonella, as well as mold, Ecolab said in a press statement. The coating would be placed on various surfaces at processing facilities. Read full story

Nurses, hospitals unable to reach labor pact: Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association are meeting Wednesday to discuss plans for a July 6 strike, after they were unable to resolve a labor dispute with Twin Cities hospitals. The union wrote on its website that there was “little progress” made during negotiations. Read full story

General Mills profit down in Q4: One-time charges weighed down General Mills Inc.’s earnings in the fourth quarter, though the food manufacturer’s results still met analysts’ expectations. Golden Valley-based General Mills reported a fourth-quarter profit of $212 million, or 31 cents per share. That’s down from earnings of $358 million, or 53 cents per share, during the same period a year ago. Read full story

Michael Foods completes $1.7 billion sale: Michael Foods Inc. has completed its sale to private-equity firm GS Capital Partners, the company announced Tuesday. The Minnetonka-based firm, which makes eggs, cheese and other food products, first announced the $1.7 billion deal in May. The seller is Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL), a Boston-based private-equity firm that acquired Michael Foods in 2003 for $1.05 billion. THL will keep a roughly 20 percent stake in the company. Read full story