Chiquita Brands International Inc. is suing seven of its former Fresh Express executives, alleging they breached their confidentiality agreements. In a 20-page complaint filed last month in Ohio, where Chiquita is based, the company accuses the executives of using trade secrets for the benefit of Salinas-based NewStar Foods LLC and trying to recruit Fresh Express's employees and customers to NewStar. Many of the executives left Fresh Express after the company was acquired by Chiquita in 2005, going to work for Salinas-based NewStar and its sister company, OrganicGirl Produce LLC.

