National job openings slipped in March

WASHINGTON » U.S. employers advertised slightly fewer jobs and slowed hiring a bit in March, though the declines came after healthy gains the previous month.

The figures suggest the job market is improving in fits and starts.

The Labor Department said Friday that employers posted 4 million jobs in March, down 2.7 percent from February. But February’s total nearly matched November’s for the highest level of openings since January 2008, when the Great Recession was just beginning.

The report also showed that February’s data for hiring and quits was revised much higher, indicating that the job market was in better shape that month than initially estimated.

Kashi settles suit over ‘All Natural’ label

NEW YORK » Kellogg says it will no longer use the "All Natural" or "Nothing Artificial" labels on certain Kashi products as part of an agreement to settle a class-action lawsuit.

The company, based in Battle Creek, Mich., also will pay $5 million to settle the suit.

In an emailed statement, Kellogg Co. said it stood by its advertising and labeling practices but that it would change its formulas or labels nationally by the end of the year.

The suit had accused Kashi of misleading people by stamping the phrase "All Natural" or "Nothing Artificial" on products that contained a variety of synthetic and artificial ingredients.

Among the ingredients listed in the suit were pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, hexane-proc­essed soy ingredients, ascorbic acid, glycerin and sodium phosphate.

The settlement was filed May 2 in U.S. District Court in Cali­for­nia and is subject to court approval.

As people look to stick to diets they feel are wholesome, companies have flooded supermarket shelves with products marketed as being "natural." But more recently, numerous lawsuits have challenged their use of the term on products that contain ingredients some say don’t fit that definition.

Ford recalls more than 692,000 vehicles

DETROIT » Ford is recalling more than 692,000 Escape small SUVs and C-Max gas-electric hybrids in North America to fix two safety problems.

The recalls cover vehicles from the 2013 and 2014 model years.

The first case covers 692,500 Escape and C-Max vehicles. A software glitch can stop the side curtain air bags from inflating in certain types of rollover crashes.

The company says it has no reports of crashes or injuries. Dealers will reprogram the air bag control computer for free.

The second case covers about 692,700 Escapes. Exterior door handles can bind and stop the door from latching properly. This could allow doors to open while the SUVs are in motion.

Dealers will inspect the handles and reposition them if needed. No crashes or injuries have been reported.

Chrysler recalls vans over window switch

DETROIT » Chrysler Group is recalling 780,000 minivans to replace window switches that can short-circuit and overheat if exposed to moisture.

The company said Friday that it knows of 36 incidents related to the faulty switches but is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.

The switches, on the driver-side door, can short-circuit due to moisture from rain, snow or when the car is washed, as well as from beverages spilled on the switch. The company will pay to replace the switch.

Chrysler says the recall involves certain 2010 through 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.

ON THE MOVE

HMSA has announced David Herndon as its new senior vice president of health care finance. Before joining HMSA, he served in several roles for UnitedHealthcare of Hawaii, including vice president of health services, chief operating officer and president. Herndon has also been chief financial officer and vice president of network development for WellCare dba ‘Ohana Health Plan.

Central Pacific Bank has appointed Jennifer Baker to vice president and appraisal manager. She has 15 years of finance and asset management experience, including having served as vice president of the special assets division and risk management division at Bank of Hawaii.

SHIP AHOY!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures:

HONOLULU HARBOR