European shares turn negative in choppy trade

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) - European shares gave up early gains to turn negative in choppy trade on Tuesday, with weaker food producers and retailers outpacing positive energy and pharmaceutical shares.

At 0755 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was down 0.1 percent at 859.22 points after falling to as low as 858.32.

The index, which slumped 45 percent in 2008, has gained about 17 percent this quarter and is on track to post its biggest quarterly rise since late 1999. (Reporting by Atul Prakash)