European importer Fyffes has had to withdraw from this year’sFruit Logistica Innovation Awardbecause of a trademark issue with its wax-tipped bananas.
The importer was in the running for the award with its Fyffes Organic Bananas, each tipped with green food-grade wax to signify the product’s environmentally friendly origins.
The Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2010 is open to all exhibiting companies at the event who have introduced an exceptionally innovative new product or service between 1 November 2008 and 31 October 2009.
But the Innovation Award announcement brought Fyffes’ product to the attention of Australian company Pacific Coast Eco Bananas, which for ten years has been marking the tip of their organic bananas with red wax. The company also offers bananas with green and blue wax tips.
“We immediately sought legal counsel,” company spokeswoman Dianne Sciacca told Australia’s Foodweek.
Fyffes has now withdrawn its entry after receiving documentation from Australian and overseas trademark authorities.
“Their withdrawal from the award is a satisfactory outcome for our company and eco products, and confirms the value of international trademarks system,” said Ms Sciacca.
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