Chiquita Brands International Inc has announced it has received a notice from the European Commission regarding an investigation into possible violations of competition law in the banana industry.
The company has received a '”statement of objections” relating to a probe into activities alleged to have occurred in southern Europe from July 2004 to January 2006, reports Reuters.
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, the company said.
However, Chiquita said it continued to believe it should be entitled to immunity in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday.
Chiquita said a separate probe in northern Europe on possible violation of competition law has concluded and its final immunity from fines was confirmed.
EU anti-trust regulators accused several unnamed banana importers and marketing companies in southern Europe of operating a cartel following inspections on the companies in November 2007.
Del Monte and Dole have confirmed they have not been implicated in the allegations.
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