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Dole Food Company, Inc. Announces SA 8000 Certification in Colombia

Dole Food Company, Inc. Announces SA 8000 Certification in Colombia

Published 07-30-07

Submitted by Dole Food Inc.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA "“ July 30, 2007 - Dole Food Company, Inc. today announced that all its Company-owned banana farms located in Colombia have been certified to the Social Accountability International SA 8000 work place and human rights standard. The certification's scope covers the cultivation, harvesting and packing of organic and conventional bananas in eight farms located in the Santa Marta area, Colombia.

SA 8000, an internationally recognized standard based on the ILO conventions, the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on Rights of the Child, 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.

In 2000, Dole's then owned subsidiary, Pascual Hermanos, was the first agricultural company in the world to be certified to SA 8000. Subsequently to this certification, all Dole managed banana and pineapple plantations in the Philippines and Costa Rica have been certified to the SA 8000 standard. In addition, Dole's Hua Hin cannery, located in Thailand, was certified in November 2006. In total, Dole has over 40,000 full-time, seasonal and temporary employees in its banana and pineapple operations covered by SA 8000 certifications. Dole is a Signatory Member of Social Accountability International and serves on its Advisory Board.

David A. DeLorenzo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dole Food Company, Inc., stated: "This new certification emphasizes the Company's on-going commitment to provide a safe, healthy working environment while complying with all labor aspects addressed in SA 8000. It also illustrates our employees' high ethical standards and their unfailing support to Dole's Corporate Social Responsibility programs, worldwide."

Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2006 revenues of $6.2 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.

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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.

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