Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.

Miami, FL: (Jun-27-07) A class action lawsuit was filed against fruit and vegetable producer Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., over a dispute with direct banana buyers. In a settlement reached, Fresh Del Monte Produce agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit with the direct banana buyers. In a second class action settlement with indirect banana buyers, the company will donate fruit or other food to a charity at a value of $833,334, and pay lawyer fees and other costs of up to $108,334. Both lawsuits have been pending in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida since 2005. Fresh Del Monte officials always maintained that the lawsuits were without merit and stated that the settlements end all legal actions related to its banana business in North America. [FORBES: BANANA BUYERS]