Kraft Food says layoffs are expected

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Widely reported layoffs at Kraft Foods would total less than 1 percent of the company's North American workforce, a spokesman said Monday.

"Unfortunately, some positions are being eliminated," spokesman Mike Mitchell said.

Kraft employs about 41,000 people in the United States and 7,000 in Canada, which puts the expected cuts at roughly 500 jobs, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The giant food processing company, however, did not announce a specific number of cuts.