Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Dole Food Company, Inc. Announces SA 8000 Certification for Hua Hin, Thailand Factory

Dole Food Company, Inc. Announces SA 8000 Certification for Hua Hin, Thailand Factory

Published 11-03-06

Submitted by Dole Food Inc.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2006--Dole Packaged Foods Company, a division of Dole Food Company, announced today that its fruit processing factory in Hua Hin, Thailand has been certified to the Social Accountability International SA 8000 work place and human rights standard. Dole is the first food company to receive SA 8000 certification in Thailand.

The certification covers the cultivation of pineapple on the 3000 acre plantation as well as the processing plant, which employs more than 5000 people. Products processed in the facility include canned pineapple, tropical fruit cocktail, papaya, guava, rambutan, pomelo, watermelon, lychees and mangos. The Hua Hin facility also has an on-site medical clinic with more than 40,000 annual visits, on-site educational programs and on-site housing--including three dormitories plus family housing units.

SA 8000 is an internationally recognized standard based on International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions and the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on Rights of the child. The standard focuses on child labor, forced labor, health and safety, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation and the implementation of an efficient management system.

Richard Dahl, president and chief operating officer of Dole Food Company, stated, "This certification is the latest example of Dole's commitment to ensure the Company's operations, wherever located, protect both its work force and the environment. We value the dedication and commitment of our employees and want to make certain that they work in an environment that is safe and values their wellbeing."

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2005 revenues of $5.9 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers. Dole markets a growing line of packaged foods and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.

This release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "intends" and similar expressions. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein include weather-related phenomena; market responses to industry volume pressures; product and raw materials supplies and pricing; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; economic crises and security risks in developing countries; international conflict; and quotas, tariffs and other governmental actions. Further information on the factors that could affect Dole's financial results is included in its SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

Dole Food Inc. logo

Dole Food Inc.

Dole Food Inc.

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2005 revenues of $5.9 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen foods and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.

More from Dole Food Inc.

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox