Chiquita Gets EU Notice Regarding Competition Probe - Flex News

Chiquita Gets EU Notice Regarding Competition Probe

Dec 18 - Fresh fruit distributor Chiquita Brands International Inc said it received a notice from the European Commission regarding an investigation into possible violations of competition law in the banana industry.

Earlier this week, the company received a 'statement of objections' related to a probe into activities alleged to have occurred in southern Europe from July 2004 to January 2006, Chiquita said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday.

A statement of objections is a document in which the European Commission communicates its preliminary view related to a possible infringement of competition laws.The European Commission questioned the granting of immunity or leniency on issues mentioned in the statement, Chiquita said. However, the company said it continued to believe it should be entitled to immunity.
Chiquita said a separate probe in northern Europe on possible violation of competition law has concluded and its final immunity from fines was confirmed. On Thursday, European Union antitrust regulators accused several unnamed banana importers and marketing companies in southern Europe of operating a cartel following inspections on the companies in November 2007.

Rival Fresh Del Monte told Reuters in an email Thursday it had not been implicated in this case. Dole Food Co Inc said late Wednesday it was not an addressee of the statement of objections.