
Lawsuits Against Dole By Ivory Coast Plaintiffs Dismissed
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California - November 16, 2009
Dole Food Company, Inc. announced today that the Los Angeles Superior Court has dismissed the seven remaining lawsuits brought by Ivory Coast plaintiffs against Dole and three other companies. Previously, the United States District Court for the Central District of California had dismissed the eighth lawsuit based on lack of Federal subject matter jurisdiction and comity.
Superior Court Judge Ann I. Jones ordered the dismissal of Abagninin, et al. v. Amvac Chemical Corp., et al. on November 10, 2009, bringing to an end the lawsuits brought by Ivory Coast plaintiffs who had alleged exposure to the nematicide DBCP three decades ago. Lawyers for the plaintiffs had filed a motion to withdraw as counsel of record after a witness in the Ivory Coast offered to testify that an attorney representing the plaintiffs had filed unauthorized claims and had fabricated medical evidence.
“These dismissals reflect examples of the many frivolous lawsuits brought against Dole relating to the use of DBCP three decades ago,” said C. Michael Carter, Dole’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “Dole did not even operate in the Ivory Coast during the time period in question.”
Dole is the world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic bananas. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen foods 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,” “anticipates” 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; energy supply and pricing; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; economic crises; 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.