Dole Signs on to Calif. Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. here, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, Inc., has signed the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. Under the voluntary agreement, all participants must adhere to established good agricultural practices (GAP) and food safety guidelines.
Dole has always used GAP in all its growing operations and has been a strong supporter of the agreement as a standard for the industry. Dole has taken food safety one step further by applying the California standards in all states where its leafy greens are grown.
"Dole is in full support of a uniform, national, leafy greens food safety standard that will set mandatory and explicit guidelines in the produce industry," said Eric Schwartz, president of Dole Fresh Vegetables. "We strongly encourage our retail and food service customers to support the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement by requiring their produce suppliers to sign this Agreement."
Schwartz continued: "Food safety is our top priority. This is another example of our commitment to work with government, industry leaders, trade organizations and food safety experts to continuously seek ways to improve and enhance food safety for consumers."
With 2005 revenues of $5.9 billion, Dole produces and markets high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers, as well as a growing line of packaged foods and frozen fruit.
Dole has always used GAP in all its growing operations and has been a strong supporter of the agreement as a standard for the industry. Dole has taken food safety one step further by applying the California standards in all states where its leafy greens are grown.
"Dole is in full support of a uniform, national, leafy greens food safety standard that will set mandatory and explicit guidelines in the produce industry," said Eric Schwartz, president of Dole Fresh Vegetables. "We strongly encourage our retail and food service customers to support the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement by requiring their produce suppliers to sign this Agreement."
Schwartz continued: "Food safety is our top priority. This is another example of our commitment to work with government, industry leaders, trade organizations and food safety experts to continuously seek ways to improve and enhance food safety for consumers."
With 2005 revenues of $5.9 billion, Dole produces and markets high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers, as well as a growing line of packaged foods and frozen fruit.