IAFP Names Fresh Express, Inc. as Recipient of the Prestigious Black Pearl Award

Monday, May 17, 2010

-- Fresh Express recognized for global commitment, innovation in food quality and safety --

Des Moines, Iowa (May 17, 2010) -- The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) selected Fresh Express, Incorporated as the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Black Pearl Award. Sponsored by Wilbur Feagan and F & H Food Equipment Company, the Black Pearl Award will be presented at the IAFP 2010 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California in August.

This honor is given annually to one company for its efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards, and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP.

Fresh Express, Inc., based in Salinas, California, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and the nation's leading producer of fresh salads. As a leader in fresh foods for more than 80 years, Fresh Express is dedicated to providing consumers with safe, healthy, and convenient fresh salads, vegetables, fruits, and snacks.

Fresh Express created the world's first packaged salads for the food service industry over 30 years ago. Later, with their invention of the Keep Crisp Bag®, Fresh Express salads were made available in retail stores for the first time nationwide. Today, more than 60 Fresh Express salad products are available in 24,000 grocery stores throughout the U.S.

Fernando Aguirre, CEO, Chiquita Brands International, Inc., states, "Each week, millions of consumers enjoy Chiquita and Fresh Express products with full confidence in their safety. Food safety is not only part of our strategy, it is in our company DNA." Aguirre adds that Fresh Express, Inc. always strives to 'do the right thing' in order to protect the health and well-being of their consumers, employees, and communities.

"From the start, our commitment to food protection and the highest degree of sanitation has been unprecedented," says Tanios Viviani, President, Global Quality & Food Safety, Innovation and Emerging Markets for Chiquita Brands International. "Our food safety practices consistently exceed industry standards and government guidelines, and are carefully documented and continuously validated through internal and third-party inspections and audits."

"We are humbled to accept the Black Pearl Award, following several world-class companies that have received it in the past," says Aguirre. "We are very appreciative that this commitment to food safety has been recognized by an organization (IAFP) comprised of global food safety leaders, a testament to the diligence, dedication, and hard work of our team that 'lives' food safety each and every day."