
Dole Takes Lead In Carrying FDA-Endorsed Health Message
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California - July 31, 2003
Dole Food Company, Inc. today announced that it would begin carrying the following health message on its products: "Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases." This new dietary guidance is the result of a collaboration between the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. David H. Murdock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dole, stated: "Dole welcomes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent endorsement of this health message on the benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and is pleased to be taking a leadership position in bringing it to the attention of consumers."
Mr. Murdock also announced that Dole will be placing ads in major newspapers across the country -- The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Washington Post and Los Angeles Times -- to announce the labeling initiative to advise consumers of the benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Dole anticipates that over 500 million packages of Dole products with the new labeling will reach U.S. consumers annually.
The move came in response to the FDA's July 10th announcement that it would endorse health guidance -- such as the fruit and vegetable message -- in order to empower Americans to make better dieting choices. FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan said, "We applaud Dole's quick response and continued leadership in the arena of health and nutrition education."
As part of that ongoing legacy, Dole established the Dole Nutrition Institute to support basic research and education. And coming this fall: the Dole Nutrition System -- a revolutionary online health and diet service, including personalized diet plans, daily nutrition tips, a recipe finder, the "Dole Spa" and much, much more.
Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2002 revenues of $4.4 billion, is the world's largest producer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers, markets a growing line of packaged foods, and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education.