Oxnard, CA-based Gills Onions, a leading processor of fresh red and yellow onions, has converted its retail line of fresh onion products from zip-lock bags into clamshell packaging with resealable lids.

The newly launched product line features breathable under- film technology to lock in freshness while sealing in onion aroma. Included in the product line are 10-ounce diced yellow or red onions, eight-ounce sliced yellow or red onions and a 10-ounce celery and onion diced mix.

Oxnard, CA-based Mission Produce has completed negotiations to build a Mission Ripe Center in Seattle, scheduled to come on-line in late March.

Mission Ripe Center in Seattle will be more than 20,000 square feet and will house high-tech equipment and ripening rooms similar to those found in Mission's other facilities. The facility will have a staff of 25 people to run the operation and will service Washington, Oregon and western Canada.

SALINAS, CA  Fresh Express, based here, has introduced "Baby Blends," a first-ever line in the industry's fresh- cut category.

According to the company, the blends of lettuces and greens in the new baby segment are harvested when theyre at the peak of tenderness, color and nutrition and feature distinct flavors and contrasting textures.

In addition to killing more than 1,000 Guatemalans, Hurricane Stan inflicted a great deal of damage to the country's produce exports when it hit Oct. 4-5, according to Martin Maldonado, a native Guatemalan and an importer for Team Produce International Inc. in Miami.

PHILADELPHIA  The season's first imported Brazilian grapes arrived in Philadelphia Oct. 7-8, according to Tom Leonardi of Fresh Taste Produce USA & Associates Inc., here.

About nine or 10 U.S. receivers had fruit on the ship, which was being held for 15 days at Lucca Cold Storage in Mullica Hill, NJ, per USDA phytosanitary requirements for cold treatment. Mr. Leonardi said that the first Brazilian grapes will be on the market about Oct. 26. These grapes are the Festival variety of Sugraone.

WASHINGTON  Minnesota officials are calling it the "smoking gun." For the first time, a laboratory has found E. coli O157:H7 in two bags of prepackaged lettuce in connection to the Dole lettuce recall.

In Minnesota, 23 people have become sick because of an E. coli outbreak linked to bagged salads. State health officials began investigating reports of E. coli O157:H7 disease and followed the trail to prepackaged Dole lettuce purchased from at least four different Rainbow Foods grocery stores in the Twin Cities area Sept. 13-16.