A June 7 U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission filing by Chiquita Brands International in Cincinnati brought to light news that the nation's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, cut its Chiquita banana orders by 33 percent.

Chiquita corporate spokesman Mike Mitchell told The Produce News that the lost business "is not new," with the Wal-Mart business having been lost in December over pricing differences. A new contract went into effect on May 1.

WASHINGTON  After investigating more than 300 cases of cyclospora infections, Florida health officials believe that people got sick from eating fresh basil and have asked the Food & Drug Administration to start tracing the product back to the farm.

Florida officials began seeing a rise in cases of cyclospora infections in April, which triggered the investigation. As of press time, the Florida Department of Health reported 303 laboratory-confirmed cases across 33 counties. Six of those cases were added to the list during the past week.

The 18 newly appointed members of the National Mango Board, established by the federal Mango Promotion, Research & Information Order, have been invited to hold their first meeting in Washington June 14-16.

"The meeting, initially at USDA's headquarters and later at a nearby hotel conference center in the nations capital, will largely consist of a thorough orientation conducted by the staff of USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service," said George Chartier, a public affairs specialist for AMS.

Los Alamitos, CA-based Frieda's Inc. is offering its popular Donut peaches again this year, and to support the product and maximize sales during the eight-week window of availability, the company will be offering new point-of-purchase kits for retailers.

Westlake Produce Co. in Los Angeles announced the retirement of Dan Sims, one of four partners, effective June 30.

Mr. Sims' father, Joseph Sims, founded Brooks & Sims with William I. Brooks in 1962. Dan Sims and William I. Brooks son Bill ran the business from the early 1980s until its merger with Westlake-Miller in 2001, which led to the formation of Westlake-Miller/Brooks & Sims.

Five years ago, C&C Produce began supplying one of the government commissaries with a full line of produce. At present, the company services a total of six commissaries: Fort Leavenworth, Fort Leonardwood, Fort Riley, Offutt Air Force Base, Whiteman Air Force Base and McConnell Air Force Base.