Dole to supply organic bananas - Dole Fresh Fruit Co - Brief Article

Eurofood, Feb 1, 2001

Dole Fresh Fruit Co., a subsidiary of Dole Food Co Inc., is to start offering certified organic bananas to consumers as of January 2001. The bananas will be grown in Honduras and Ecuador, on plantations that have been certified as organic by US-based agencies and inspected by the Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) to ensure organic integrity.

Dole has been conducting research in organic banana production for several years. Initially, the bananas are to be made available to the company's West Coast markets, although supply will extend to all of North America over the coming months. Dole Food Co Inc., with 1999 revenues of US$5.1bn ([euro]5.37bn) is the world's largest producer of fresh fruit and vegetables.