Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® Pineapple Named Best Food Innovation at World Food Innovation Awards 2025

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2025--

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., (NYSE: FDP) one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, is proud to announce that its Rubyglow® pineapple—the latest in its extensive lineup of pineapple innovations—was awarded Best Food Innovation by the prestigious World Food Innovation Awards 2025.

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Hosted by FoodBev Media, the World Food Innovation Awards celebrate breakthrough achievements in food and beverage, recognizing products that exemplify innovation, sustainability, and consumer appeal. Selected by a panel of industry experts, Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® pineapple was honored as this year’s standout winner.

A registered U.S. plant patent, the Rubyglow® pineapple is the most exclusive pineapple Fresh Del Monte has ever brought to market. It’s a cross between a traditional pineapple and the deep red–skinned Morada variety, which is typically inedible. The result: a visually stunning fruit with a deep red outer shell and citrine-yellow flesh that offers a smooth, tropical flavor with low acidity. Retailing at $395, it represents the pinnacle of luxury in fresh produce.

“The exclusive Rubyglow® pineapple underscores our global leadership in the pineapple category,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Del Monte. “We continuously strive to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation, and the Rubyglow® pineapple is a shining example of that commitment. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement.”

Rubyglow® pineapple joins a distinguished lineup of Fresh Del Monte pineapple innovations, including the vibrant Pinkglow® pineapple, the ultra-sweet Honeyglow® pineapple, and the climate-smart Del Monte Zero® pineapple—each developed to meet evolving consumer tastes while advancing sustainability and flavor. Together, these varieties showcase the company’s continued investment in high-value, premium fruit offerings.

The Rubyglow® pineapple took more than 15 years of R&D to develop and requires nearly two years to grow. Grown using traditional crossbreeding methods, it demands precision at every stage of cultivation. A limited seed supply and lengthy growth cycle contribute to its rarity and premium status. Since its initial launch in China—where it sold out almost instantly—the fruit has expanded into North America and Europe. Today, global demand continues to outpace supply, with waitlists forming worldwide.

Marketing Director of FoodBev Media and host of the ceremony, Daniel Bunt, emphasized the significance of this year’s awards: “This year’s World Food Innovation Awards has seen an incredible plethora of products and brands from across the international food and beverage industry. The turnout at this year’s Winners’ Ceremony is a clear indication of the industry's hunger for innovation, providing entrants into our awards with a dedicated platform to promote themselves at IFE, with an increase in engagement both online and in person.”

Fresh Del Monte invites fruit lovers, retailers, and industry partners to experience the award-winning Rubyglow® pineapple and explore how it’s redefining the luxury fruit market. For more information, please visit freshdelmonte.com/. To join the global waiting list, visit https://freshdelmonte.com/rubyglow/.

ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE ® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN ® brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water, healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte has also been awarded the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards four times in the last five years (2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025). Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.

Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® Pineapple Named Best Food Innovation at World Food Innovation Awards 2025

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — By the time Phil Mickelson reached the 18th green at Oakmont on Friday evening, the once-packed grandstand was maybe a quarter-full. Same for the luxury suites.

There was no grand gesture as the 54-year-old Mickelson loped up the hill. No wave to the crowd the way Arnold Palmer did in the same spot on the same course 31 years ago. No lengthy standing ovation from the gallery in return either.

The man whose decades-long pursuit of the U.S. Open made him a fan favorite in his prime — not unlike Palmer in some ways — instead quietly marked his ball 16 feet from the hole, then walked over to the far edge of the green and stared at the leaderboard that glowed in the rainy twilight.

A birdie would have let Mickelson stick around for the weekend at his 34th — and perhaps last — trip to the national championship. Wearing a white hat featuring the logo of his LIV Golf team, the HyFlyers GC, Mickelson stood over the line trying to get the right read.

When the putt slid a foot left of the hole to keep Mickelson one outside the cut at plus-8, a small groan arose from those who stuck around. There was a shout or two of “We love you Phil!” Along the railing, a man leaned toward a friend and said, "His exemption is done. No more U.S. Open for you Phil.”

Maybe, maybe not.

The five-year exemption into the tournament that Mickelson received when he captured the 2021 PGA Championship is expiring. Whether he'll be back to make a run at the one major that has eluded him is anyone's guess.

Mickelson sure isn't saying. He politely declined to talk to reporters after emerging from the scoring area, disappearing into the clubhouse and an uncertain future at a tournament where he's been a runner-up six times.

There are a number of ways for Mickelson to make it to Shinnecock next June. The USGA could offer him an exemption, as it did at Torrey Pines in 2020, though that doesn't appear to be USGA chief championship officer John Bodenhamer's first choice.

“I think the way that we would also think of Phil is we hope he earns his way in, and I think he’d tell you the same thing,” Bodenhamer said Wednesday. "That’s what he did last time. We gave him one and then he went out and won the PGA Championship. So wouldn’t put it past him.”

Mickelson became the oldest major champion ever when he triumphed at Kiawah in 2021 at age 50. A lot has happened since then. Both on the course and off it.

The man known universally as “Lefty” played a major role in LIV Golf's rise, a move that has taken a bit of the shine off of his popularity back home.

And while Mickelson's game can still show flashes — he really did knock a sideways flop shot into the hole during a LIV event last week in Virginia — and he looks fitter now than he did two decades ago, the reality is the swashbuckling approach that once endeared him to so many doesn't work that much anymore at the U.S. Open.

Mickelson appeared to be in solid position to play the weekend when he stood on the 15th tee. He even on the day and 4 over for the tournament, well inside the cutline. A tee shot into the ankle deep rough at the 489-yard par 4 led to double bogey.

He still seemed to be OK when he got to 17, a short uphill par 4. His tee shot sailed into the rough above a greenside bunker. There would be no magic this time. His attempted flop splashed into the sand instead. He blasted out to 25 feet and three-putted for another double bogey.

That put him in a position he's been familiar with for a long time: heading to 18 at the U.S. Open needing to make a birdie of consequence. It didn't happen. And as he disappeared into the clubhouse, along with it came the realization that at this point, it likely never will.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)