The Rainforest Alliance Applauds Chiquita for its Continued Commitment to our Environmental and Social Standards

January 18, 2001 - On Tuesday, January 16, Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced a financial restructuring initiative designed to deal with the company's debts and improve its financial liquidity. Chiquita will be implementing cost-reduction measures but the company says that this process will not impact day-to-day operations with regard to its employees, customers, suppliers, distributors and general business, nor will it impact the company's involvement in the Rainforest Alliance's Better Banana certification program.

In November 2000, we announced that we had certified 100 percent of the farms owned by Chiquita in Latin America as well as a significant number of independent producers who sell fruit to the company. Together with our network of locally based partner groups in the region, we monitor and verify that all certified farms abide by strong environmental and social standards, which have positive impacts on rural communities and tropical landscapes. By meeting our certification standards, Chiquita has improved water quality, instituted programs for recycling and safe waste disposal, dramatically decreased agrochemical use, and improved the quality of life of workers on all its company-owned farms in Latin America.

The Rainforest Alliance applauds Chiquita for its continued commitment to transforming the banana industry and meeting our strict environmental and social standards, particularly during difficult financial times.
(1/2001)