ALEX FOODS PURCHASES CAMPBELL TAGGART LINES

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Alex Foods here has purchased the El Charrito and Larry's frozen food lines from Campbell Taggart, Dallas.

e of stuffed potato products. They were part of Campbell Taggart's Eagle Crest Food division, which has been dissolved. The Eagle Crest line also included the Brighton's frozen food line.

The purchase price for the lines was not disclosed.

Steve Charton, president of Alex Foods, said the products will complement his company's existing Don Miguel, Pinata, Zippe, Hacienda and Mexican Holiday frozen and refrigerated food lines. "We'll be reviewing the product lines on a continuing basis. At this point we're happy with all the lines," he said.

Charton said the sale was completed at the end of December. The newly acquired products will be produced at Alex Foods' existing facilities. "This will help to strengthen us in the Midwest and Southeast," Charton said. "El Charrito and Larry's brands are strong in those areas."

Campbell Taggart officials said they decided to sell the lines because they were not part of the core business. "These product lines have developed a strong reputation with consumers for quality and value," Barry H. Beracha, chairman and chief executive officer of Campbell Taggart, said in a statement. "But because of our relatively small presence in this segment of the food business, it is not a good long-term fit for us."

The statement also said the Eagle Crest sale will not affect Campbell Taggart's other operations.