(A surprise move by Fresh Express Acquisition LLC)...Fresh Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited.

They have announced their decision to abandon its proposed $308 million acquisition of Dole plc's Fresh Vegetable division. The abandonment comes in response to the department's concerns about competition in the packaged salad market. The Justice Department issued a statement from Assistant Attorney General Jonathon Kanter of the Antitrust Division. Kanter's statement says, aat a time when food companies are already overcharging Americans for groceries, tthe abandonment preserves lower prices and availability for an essential kitchen staple. He said this merger would have reduced the number of competitors from three to two and raised grocery prices for food products that are purchased by 85% of American Households. Kanter said he was grateful for the tireless efforts of the Antitrust Division's lawyers, economists, paralegals and professional staff who made this result possible. Packaged Salad represents $3.2 million in spending by grocers and their customers each year.