Atlas Produce & Distributing Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, which specializes in California-grown Medjool dates marketed under the “Caramel Naturel” label, has introduced a new consumer pack to its product line.

“We added an eight-ounce pack this year” in a clamshell style, said Robert Dobrzanski, president and sales manager.

Paramount Farms Inc., which is headquartered in Los Angeles with farming operations and processing facilities centered in Lost Hills, CA, is one of the the larger growers and processors of California almonds and pistachios. The company markets California pistachios worldwide under the “Wonderful Pistachios” brand, offering a “wide range of packaged and in-shell varieties,” according to a company press release dated Sept. 1.

Aurora Products Inc. in Stratford, CT, is introducing two new trail mix varieties “to appeal to consumers’ varied tastes,” according to a company press release dated July 25. “Consumers now seek trail mixes with unique flavors and textures that provide a healthy sensory experience,” the release stated. The two new mixes, “Aurora Natural Crunchy Asian” and “Aurora Natural Red, White and Blue” have been formulated to “satisfy heightened taste buds and more attuned palates.”

SunDate in Coachella, CA, is vertically integrated in the sense that the majority of the dates the company packs and markets are “our own fruit,” according to D.J. Ryan, sales manager.

“We are involved in every step of the growing and harvesting and — cone it is brought into the packinghouse — the sorting, processing, packing and shipping. So w control every aspect of it, which allows us to maintain a level of quality control” that would be more difficult if they were “dealing with a lot of outside growers.”

A California Court of Appeals reversed an earlier Superior Court decision thereby abandoning a $12 million judgment that Fresh Express Inc. had received against an insurance carrier to recover losses resulting from the 2006 E. coli outbreak associated with fresh spinach.

A three-judge panel ruled Sept. 8 that the Monterey County Superior Court had erred in interpreting the recall insurance policy that Salinas, CA-based Fresh Express had in place at the time with Lloyds of London.

Southern Specialties, based in Pompano Beach, FL, will ship Royal artichokes in its “Southern Selects” packaging.

Royal artichokes, which are named for their royal purple highlights on the leaves that indicate sweetness, are packed in six-count modified-atmosphere bags with 10 bags to the case.

The medium-size artichokes are an excellent choice for home meals, and they cook quickly and fit perfectly on the dinner plate as an entrée accompaniment.