Business in brief BIDDEFORD: J.J. NISSEN BAKERY TO SLASH 173 JOBS

Interstate Bakeries Corp., the bankrupt maker of Hostess Twinkies and Wonder Bread, notified workers Wednesday that it plans to cut 173 jobs at its J.J. Nissen plant in this southern Maine city. The cutback at the plant, which produces bread and rolls and has a current work force of about 600, is part of a consolidation of the company’s operations in the Northeast, spokeswoman Maya Pogoda said. The affected employees were given 60 days notice, she said. Interstate Bakeries last month announced plans to slash 1,400 jobs by closing its bakery in New Bedford, Mass., and consolidating production, delivery routes, depots and thrift stores in the region. At that time, the company said the impact on the Biddeford operation was unclear.