Fernando Aguirre

Chiquita chief executive Fernando Aguirre has championed healthy practices among workers, noting that it is not just good for employees, but is also good for business.

Speaking at the American Heart Association's Leadership breakfast in Charlotte – where the fresh produce multinational will be relocating to later in the year – Aguirre told gathered business leaders that healthy employees are also good for 'the company's bottom line'.

According to The Charlotte Observer, Aguirre outlined some of the programmes that Chiquita has in place to promote healthy practices among employees, such as exercise breaks during lengthy meetings, water consumption challenges and free bananas.

As a result of these measures, the group's healthcare costs have stabilised, Aguirre explained.