Headline: Green Party asks Commission to investigate so-called “ethical” bananas
Source: Mojo Mathers MP – http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/green-party-asks-commission-investigate-so-called-ethical-bananas
No company that uses child labour, sprays workers with pesticides and harasses workers for joining a union can make a claim that their products are an “ethical choice
Dole should peel off their stickers claiming their bananas are an ethical choice until the Commerce Commission investigates their claim, the Green Party said today.
Today Green Party food spokesperson Mojo Mathers wrote to the Commerce Commission requesting they investigate Dole’s claim that they sell ethical bananas. Ms Mathers’ request was sparked by an Oxfam report which suggested Dole’s claims may be false and misleading.
“Oxfam’s report into Dole bananas suggests that Dole’s ethical choice claims may be entirely misleading,” Ms Mathers said.
“Buyers in New Zealand may be purchasing Dole’s bananas under the impression that workers involved in their production are getting a fair deal.
“Unfortunately according to Oxfam’s report the conditions involved in the production of these bananas are anything but ethical.
“No company that uses child labour, sprays workers with pesticides and harasses workers for joining a union can make a claim that their products are an “ethical choice”.
“There have been concerns that Dole’s claims have been made without independent substantiation,” Ms Mathers said.
Last year the Commerce Commission gave Dole a warning that their labels could be misleading.
“It’s time for Dole to stop confusing shoppers and peel that label off until after the Commerce Commission investigates whether its claim is valid.”
Link to Oxfam’s report:
http://www.oxfam.org.nz/news/are-dole-bananas-really-ethical-choice
—