Brussels, Nov 30 - The European Commission said on Friday that it raided producers and importers of fresh exotic fruits for possible price fixing in violation of antitrust laws.
"The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EC (European Community) Treaty rules that outlaw cartels and restrictive business practices," the Commission said in a statement.
The raids took place between Wednesday and Friday, it said without providing further details.
Chiquita Brands International Inc, in an e-mailed statement, said the Commission this week had requested additional information and documents from the U.S. company in relation to the competition investigation. A company spokesman was not available to say whether Chiquita was targeted in the raids.
Dole Food Co, which is based in Westlake Village, California, declined to comment on the raids.
The European Commission is responsible for enforcing the European Union's competition laws and carries out regular raids on companies believed to be acting as cartels.
In July, the Commission charged Irish fruit distributor Fyffes Plc for its suspected role in a banana cartel. But this time, Fyffes was not involved.
"We have not been raided," a Fyffes spokesman said.