Almarai in Mead Johnson JV

Saudi Arabia's Almarai Co. and Mead Johnson Nutrition Co will form a joint-venture to make baby food products in the Gulf region, giving the US-based baby formula maker an entry point into the region, Reuters has reported. The joint venture is expected to start production in 2011, Almarai said in a statement, without giving the value of the deal. Almarai is also involved in joint ventures with Greece-based Vivartia, in the bakery business, and Pepsico, for dairy and fruit juice products.