Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Packaged-salad listeria recall
Dole recalled a broad range of packaged salads and closed facilities in Arizona and North Carolina for cleaning after possible listeria contamination. The recall was associated with a multistate public-health investigation.
2021
Dole recalls packaged salads over possible Listeria contamination
Recall announced
Dole Fresh Vegetables announced a voluntary recall of packaged salads from its Bessemer City, North Carolina, and Yuma, Arizona, facilities because of possible Listeria contamination. The company said the recall followed the finding of a Listeria strain in two products; health officials said the strain matched one they believe is responsible for 16 illnesses since 2014.
Company response
Recall — Dole Fresh Vegetables
Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling its packaged salads from the company’s Bessemer City, NC and Yuma, AZ processing facilities because of a possible Listeria contamination.
Remediation — Dole Fresh Vegetables
The company says it’s also temporarily suspending operations at both facilities to conduct an “extensive cleaning and sanitation protocol,” according to an announcement Monday.
Source excerpt
The decision to suspend operations and recall all products from these facilities was made after finding a strain of Listeria in one package of Dole-branded Garden Salad produced in the Bessemer City facility and one package of shredded iceberg lettuce from the Yuma facility.
Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling its packaged salads from the company’s Bessemer City, NC and Yuma, AZ processing facilities because of a possible Listeria contamination.
The voluntary recall was initiated after testing found that "harvest equipment used in the harvesting of the raw iceberg lettuce material used in these finished products" contained the potentially harmful bacteria, according to the recall notice.
2020
Dole recalls two romaine products over possible E. coli contamination
Recall announced
Dole Fresh Vegetables voluntarily recalled two romaine products sold in Arizona and 14 other states because of possible E. coli contamination. The recalled products were Dole Organic Romaine Hearts and Wild Harvest Organic Romaine Hearts. At the time of the recall, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the products.
Company response
Recall — Dole Fresh Vegetables
Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling two of its romaine lettuce products sold in Arizona and 14 other states due to possible E. coli bacteria contamination.
Source excerpt
Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling two of its romaine lettuce products sold in Arizona and 14 other states due to possible E. coli bacteria contamination.
The recalled products are Dole Organic Romaine Hearts (3 pack) and Wild Harvest Organic Romaine Hearts harvested Oct. 23 to 26.
2016
Listeria outbreak linked to Springfield facility
A listeriosis outbreak was linked to Dole packaged salads from its Springfield, Ohio, facility. The outbreak resulted in hospitalizations and deaths, the facility was closed for sanitation, and the U.S. Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation. Later reporting stated that contamination had been identified before the eventual closure.
2015
Dole take-private shareholder litigation
Shareholders challenged the valuation and process of Dole's 2013 take-private transaction. In 2015, a Delaware court ordered David H. Murdock and former executive Michael Carter to make a substantial payment to shareholders.
2009
Colombian paramilitary-financing allegations
Families of Colombian banana workers sued Dole, alleging that the company financed or supported paramilitary groups implicated in killings, including attacks on trade union organizers. The case was dismissed with prejudice in 2010.
2003
DBCP pesticide litigation in Nicaragua
Nicaraguan banana workers brought claims alleging harm from exposure to the pesticide DBCP. A Nicaraguan court ordered Dole and chemical companies to pay damages, but the judgment was not paid. Later proceedings in the United States questioned whether some plaintiffs had worked on Dole plantations and identified alleged misconduct by plaintiffs' lawyers; the litigation remained a major source of controversy concerning pesticide exposure and labor conditions in the banana industry.