Chiquita Announces That Fresh Express Wins Coveted 'Black Pearl' Global Food Safety Award

CINCINNATI, May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) today announced that Fresh Express  – the nation's No. 1 producer of fresh salads and a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB) – has been named recipient of the prestigious Black Pearl Award for Corporate Excellence in Food Protection and Quality.

"Each year IAFP honors a single company with our most prestigious award, the Black Pearl, in recognition of that company's singular efforts in advancing food safety and quality," said IAFP executive director David Tharp.  "This year, we are pleased to recognize Fresh Express for its adherence to the highest standards of excellence in food protection, for its innovative leadership in prevention-based food safety practices, for its exceptional educational activities and for fostering a culture that is dedicated to continually furthering the principles and goals of outstanding food safety."

"Receiving the prestigious Black Pearl is a genuine honor and a humbling moment," said Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer.  "Each week, millions of consumers enjoy Chiquita and Fresh Express products, with full confidence in their safety.  A commitment to food safety is not only part of our strategy, but it is in our company DNA. We are very appreciative that this commitment to food safety has been recognized by the premier international food safety organization comprised of global food safety leaders. Winning the Black Pearl has been compared to winning the Super Bowl or the World Series by food safety experts. We are honored to accept this coveted award." 

Aguirre added, "We believe this is a testament to the diligence, dedication and hard work of our team that "lives" food safety each and every day.  This is a milestone that we will celebrate as part of our continuous research and innovation toward even higher standards of effectiveness. Our desire is to always 'do the right thing' in order to protect the health and well-being of our consumers, employees and communities."

Among the criteria that were successfully met by Fresh Express in winning the Black Pearl Award were:

• Examples of contributions to public health principles and food safety
• Evidence of products and services demonstrating a commitment to food safety
• Evidence that facilities are designed with food safety and sanitation as a primary concern
• Evidence of adherence to food safety regulations
• Evidence of community and consumer programming and education to promote food safety
• Evidence and support showing promotion of ethical and fair business practices

The Black Pearl Award will be officially presented to Chiquita - Fresh Express food safety executives at IAFP's annual meeting being held in Anaheim, CA, August 1-4.  Past recipients of the Black Pearl have included Schnuck's Markets, Inc., 3M, Ecolab, DuPont, Walt Disney World, Kraft Foods, Darden, Albertson's and H-E-B.  

From its inception as a fresh foods company, Fresh Express has held excellence in food protection as its highest priority.  The company developed and currently employs a unique and comprehensive "Fresh Express 7- Steps of Prevention Food Safety Program," a synchronized set of proprietary food safety practices that apply across the entire supply chain from seed development, growing and harvesting to manufacturing and delivery to customers nationwide.   With the invention of its special Keep Crisp® Bag beginning in the early 1980s, Fresh Express pioneered the retail packaged salad category and was the first to make them available to grocery stores nationwide.  More than 20 million consumers enjoy Fresh Express salads, spinach and greens every week.  For more information, visit www.freshexpress.com.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR FOOD PROTECTION

IAFP provides food safety professionals worldwide with a forum to exchange information on protecting the food supply.  This is achieved through two monthly journals; the Journal for Food Protection and Food Protection Trends, an online newsletter titled the IAFP Report and through an Annual Meeting in North America where research topics on food safety issues are presented.  IAFP also holds a three-day symposium in Europe each year and a separate, annual, international symposium in addition to supporting food safety events in Dubai and China.  For more information, visit www.foodprotection.org.

About Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products – from energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green salads.  The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita® and Fresh Express® premium brands and other related trademarks.  With annual revenues of $3.5 billion, Chiquita employs approximately 21,000 people and has operations in nearly 80 countries worldwide.  For more information, please visit our corporate web site at www.chiquitabrands.com.

SOURCE Chiquita Brands International, Inc.