UNFI Raises Liability Insurance Requirements

United Natural Foods, Inc., Providence, RI, or UNFI, has begun enforcing higherliability insurance requirements, which may adversely affect dietary supplement suppliers insurance costs, according to Greg Doherty, dietary supplement practice leader at Poms & Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc. UNFI follows in the footsteps of other large chains, notably Walgreens, Whole Foods Markets, and NBTY by raising the requirements for suppliers. To assist companies with these new insurance limits, Poms & Associates has developed an insurance facility that will take companies up to the required $3 million per occurrence/$5 million aggregate. The insurer noted that it understands that the insurance is being purchased not because of a perceived increased in the risk, but merely to satisfy UNFI.