The countryside around here forms some of Mali's richest farmland - flat fields of corn and rice interspersed with big fruit trees.

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Wednesday's lunch offerings for the Beijing delegation featured the relatively mundane egg drop soup, boiled corn, stir-fried bokchoy and sticky rice with pork.

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Although the food questionnaires used in the study did not ask about specific brands of cereals, popular brand-name cereals made from refined grains include varieties of Corn Flakes, Special K, and Rice Krispies, while examples of whole-grain cereals include Cheerios, shredded wheat, and bran.

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Centered in the room is a butcher-block tasting table, where you can order small shots of top-shelf wheat, rice, potato, corn and even grape vodka.

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Corn, wheat and rice production are all experiencing long-term upward trends.

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His 40 products--snack foods aimed at health-conscious consumers--include Veggie Booty (puffed rice and corn seasoned with dried kale, spinach, broccoli and carrot), Pirate's Booty (the same stuff coated in white cheddar) and Fruity Booty with peach and mango powder.

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