-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Awx3YLdzJQbEbNEpa2vkA9xSc/Wt+hgsSTxoWLYcc02Z1uaN4489mNil3qyleDe8 v7Hj7qz9MNhsyxCMiJJ9UA== 0000000000-06-005012.txt : 20060928 0000000000-06-005012.hdr.sgml : 20060928 20060130142852 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000000000-06-005012 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: UPLOAD PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060130 FILED FOR: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000101063 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION - CROPS [0100] IRS NUMBER: 041923360 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: UPLOAD BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 250 E FIFTH ST CITY: CINCINNATI STATE: OH ZIP: 45202 BUSINESS PHONE: 5137848880 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC. STREET 2: 250 EAST FIFTH STREET CITY: CINCINNATI STATE: OH ZIP: 45202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: UNITED BRANDS CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19900403 LETTER 1 filename1.txt October 5, 2005 via U.S. mail Mr. Robert W. Olson, Esq. Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary Chiquita Brands International, Inc. 250 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 RE: Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 Filed September 7, 2005 File No. 333-123181 Registration Statement on Form S-4 Filed September 7, 2005 File No. 333-128162 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 Filed August 5, 2005 File No. 1-1550 Dear Mr. Olson: We have limited our review of your filing to those issues we have addressed in our comments. Where indicated, we think you should revise your document in response to these comments. If you disagree, we will consider your explanation as to why our comment is inapplicable or a revision is unnecessary. Please be as detailed as necessary in your explanation. In some of our comments, we may ask you to provide us with information so we may better understand your disclosure. After reviewing this information, we may raise additional comments. Please understand that the purpose of our review process is to assist you in your compliance with the applicable disclosure requirements and to enhance the overall disclosure in your filing. We look forward to working with you in these respects. We welcome any questions you may have about our comments or any other aspect of our review. Feel free to call us at the telephone numbers listed at the end of this letter. Controls and Procedures, page 24 Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, page 24 1. We note your disclosure in your Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, that "except for the acquisition of Fresh Express" there was no change in the company`s internal control over financial reporting. We note also the disclosure regarding the implementation of a transaction processing system in certain Latin American and European subsidiaries, effective January 1, 2005, and the additional actions taken by management with respect to your internal controls. As you have made changes to your internal control over financial reporting, revise the language in the first sentence of this subsection to accurately reflect that there were changes in your internal control over financial reporting that occurred during this quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, your internal control over financial reporting. We may have further comment upon reviewing your response. 2. With a view towards additional disclosure, tell us why you believe the actions taken by management were sufficient to ensure that your internal control over financial reporting is now effective. We may have further comment. Closing Comments As appropriate, please amend your registration statement in response to these comments. You may wish to provide us with marked copies of the amendment to expedite our review. Please furnish a cover letter with your amendment that keys your responses to our comments and provides any requested information. Detailed cover letters greatly facilitate our review. Please understand that we may have additional comments after reviewing your amendment and responses to our comments. We urge all persons who are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosure in the filing to be certain that the filing includes all information required under the Securities Act of 1933 and that they have provided all information investors require for an informed investment decision. Since the company and its management are in possession of all facts relating to a company`s disclosure, they are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosures they have made. Notwithstanding our comments, in the event the company requests acceleration of the effective date of the pending registration statement, it should furnish a letter, at the time of such request, acknowledging that: ? should the Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, declare the filing effective, it does not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; ? the action of the Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, in declaring the filing effective, does not relieve the company from its full responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; and ? the company may not assert staff comments and the declaration of effectiveness as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States. In addition, please be advised that the Division of Enforcement has access to all information you provide to the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance in connection with our review of your filing or in response to our comments on your filing. We will consider a written request for acceleration of the effective date of the registration statement as confirmation of the fact that those requesting acceleration are aware of their respective responsibilities under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as they relate to the proposed public offering of the securities specified in the above registration statement. We will act on the request and, pursuant to delegated authority, grant acceleration of the effective date. We direct your attention to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requesting acceleration of a registration statement. Please allow adequate time after the filing of any amendment for further review before submitting a request for acceleration. Please provide this request at least two business days in advance of the requested effective date. Please contact Melinda Kramer at (202) 551-3726 or me, at (202) 551-3685 with any questions. Sincerely, Tangela Richter Branch Chief CC: via facsimile Robert Olson, Esq. Melinda Kramer ?? ?? ?? ?? Mr. Robert Olson Chiquita Brands International, Inc. October 5, 2005 page 1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-7010 DIVISION OF CORPORATION FINANCE Mail Stop 7010 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----