Dole Food Company, Inc. Rejects Bogus Claims Made in Colombian Lawsuit

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Dole Food Company, Inc. categorically rejects the baseless allegations made in a
lawsuit filed yesterday in Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing the
company of illegal activity in Colombia. These recycled claims are as false
today as they were when first lodged in 2007 and are the product of the most
untrustworthy sources imaginable.

The allegations in the complaint are based on nothing more than the false
confessions of convicted terrorists from Colombia, who had every motive to lie
about their activities in order to minimize their jail time for their terrorist
crimes. The plaintiffs` lawyers who filed this bogus lawsuit are citing, as
their sole source for these false claims against Dole, outlandish assertions by
terrorists from a Colombian paramilitary group known as AUC. As their complaint
notes, it is based on information produced by Colombia`s so-called Justice and
Peace process, which allowed AUC terrorists to receive minimal jail time for
their terrorist crimes if they participated in a public confession process.

"These terrorists have every reason to lie by making false allegations against
international companies like Dole in order to minimize their own culpability and
reduce their jail time," said C. Michael Carter, Dole`s Executive Vice President
and General Counsel. "This lawsuit is irresponsible and the allegations are
blatantly false."

Dole has and will continue to aggressively defend its reputation as a highly
ethical company that complies with the laws of every country in which the
company does or has done business, including Colombia. Dole holds its employees
and itself to the highest ethical standards of integrity and good corporate
citizenship. The company prides itself on openness and transparency throughout
its global operations.

Dole Food Company, Inc.
Marty Ordman, 818-874-4834

Copyright Business Wire 2009