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Dole Food Company Inc. Crisis Communication Plan
Apple Juice Recall due to Increased Levels of Patulin
Developed by:
Lindsay Smith
Director of Media Relations Created: April 27, 2010
Table of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………….……....p.3
Acknowledgments………………………………………….…..........p.4
Rehearsal Dates............................................................................…...p.5
Purpose and Objectives...………………………………….………...p.6
List of Possible Crises …………………………………….……….p.7
List of Key Publics……………………………………….…………p. 8
Procedures for Notifying Publics………………………………....…p.9
Crisis Communication Team ……………………………….. ...p.10-11
Media Spokesperson……………………………………….……...p. 12
Emergency Personnel and Local Official……………………….…p.13
Key Media……………………………….………………….……...p.14
Spokespeople for Related Organizations…......................................p.15
Crisis Communication Center and Alternate Location s………..…p.16
Equipment and Supplies…………………………………………...p.17
Pregathered Information……..………………………………….....p.18
Wed Sites and Related Links……………………………………....p.18
Key messages………………………………………………...........p. 19
Possible Trick Questions and Responses………………………......p.20
Example Press Briefing…………………………………..……p. 21-22
List of Prodromes……………………………….……………..…...p.23
Evaluation Form………………………………………………..….p. 24
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 3
Dear Employees and Executive Team,
At this time, I would like to express to you the importance of reading and becoming
familiar with this contingency plan. As many of you know, Dole Food Company Inc. is
responsible for over 50,000 employees working in over 25 countries. Dole Food’s has a
deep history of improving our products, expanding our expertise and leading the industry
in nutrition education and research. Dole has earned this reputation over the last 154
years thanks to its unwavering commitment to fulfill its customers' needs and consumers'
expectations in the critical areas of quality assurance, food safety, traceability,
environmental responsibility and social accountability. With this promise to our
customers, we must strive to always be ahead of the curve in order to maintain the level
of reliability that is expected from us. In response to this, our Public Relations team has
worked diligently to try and develop a plan in order for us to be prepared incase increased
levels of the bacteria patulin were to be found in Dole’s 100% Apple Juice that would
then result in the immediate recall of all bottles in the entire state of Virginia. Please read
and study this plan thoroughly in order to be prepared as possible in case this unfortunate
event were to occur. Failure to read this plan will result in unnecessary confusions, thus,
not allowing us to maintain the ability to truly call Dole Food Company Inc. the most
reliable brand of apple juice. By considering this possible crisis, we are able to improve
our company and remain proactive in insuring that Dole continues to maintain its
excellent reputation as a dependable company.
Thank you for your time and devotion to Dole Food Company Inc.
Sincerely,
David A. DeLorenzo
President of Dole Food Company Inc.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 4
To Employees of Dole Food Company Inc.,
Thank you all for your help in obtaining the necessary information in order to formulate
this crisis communication plan. I can not express enough how imperative it is for each of
you to read over and study this plan. Therefore, please sign this acknowledgement sheet
below after you have read over this plan thoroughly. Turn this sheet into your
administrator as proof of completion and then each location will be tested for response
outlined in this crisis plan regarding increased levels of patulin in Dole’s 100% apple
juice that would then result in the immediate recall of all bottles within the state of
Virginia. You are responsible for returning the form to your administrator by May 10,
2010 in order to be properly prepared for when the simulations are to take place. We will
then rehearse this crisis plan along with others every six months on the first Wednesday
of the proper month. An e-mail will be sent a week prior to these rehearsals in order to
ensure that everyone is aware that they are only tests but must be taken seriously none the
less.
Sincerely,
David A. DeLorenzo
Preside of Dole Food Company Inc.
I have thoroughly read the following contingency plan and believe that if required I am
able to handle the outlined crisis a best as possible.
_________________________________ ________________
Name (print) Date
_________________________________ _________________
Signature Date
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 5
REHERSAL DATES
This crisis communication plan for increased levels of the bacteria patulin in Dole’s
100% apple juice will be practiced every six months. The dates for the next five years
are recorded below.
2010:
Wednesday, May 5
Wednesday, November 3
2011:
Wednesday, May 4
Wednesday, November 2
2012:
Wednesday, May 2
Wednesday, November 7
2013:
Wednesday, May 1
Wednesday, November 6
2014:
Wednesday, May 7
Wednesday, November 5
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 6
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Purpose:
Identify possible threats and crises
Minimize risks posed by those threats and crises
Provide employees with a set of guidelines so as to minimize uncertainty and
confusion in a time of crisis
In the event of a crisis, this will speed the response time and improve overall
effectiveness.
Objectives:
To be seen by the public as a company that cares about its customers and
employees
To communicate accurately and effectively during crisis
To ensure we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our
customers and employees
To make certain we understand the causes of crisis and take measures to
prevent them in the future
To ensure our customers are satisfied with our serves
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 7
LIST OF POSSIBLE CRISES
Below is a list of all the possible crises that could occur within Dole Food Company Inc.
Flood
Hurricane
Earthquake
Fraud
Embezzlement
Tornado
Suicide
Shooting
Employment (underage, illegal immigrants, etc.)
E-coli in bagged lettuce
Squatters on banana plantations
Employees stealing products
Bomb threat
Patulin in bottled apple juice
Dole’s labeling being misleading
The list above are all crisis that could possibly occur within Dole Food Company Inc.,
however during this plan we have chosen to focus on only one of the abovementioned
crises for this particular plan :
Patulin in Dole’s 100% bottled apple juice. Patulin is a toxic bacteria that can
be found in brown rot of fallen apples. Patulin has been found to cause
adverse affects of laboratory rats. Scientists are therefore concerned that the
same affects can occur in humans. This plan focuses on the recall of all apple
juice bottles distributed in the state of Virginia because they have been found
to have unacceptable levels of patulin in bottles distributed in the state.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 8
LIST OF KEY PUBLICS
Dole Food Customers
Dole Food Employees
Executive Team
Board of Directors
Corporate Officers
Media
Shareholders
Competitors
o Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
o Del Monte Foods Company
o Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.
Government Officials
Public Officials
Surrounding Communities
Financial Partners
Community Leaders
Legal Representatives
Union Officials
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 9
PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFYING KEY PUBLICS
It is very important to notify all the key publics as soon as a crisis is learned about. In
order to be a successful leader in a time of crisis a leader must remember to communicate
early and often. This means that these publics must be notified immediately that
increased levels of patulin have been found in Dole’s 100% apple juice and must be
given updates as frequently as possible with any further information regarding the
subsequent recall and any other discoveries made.
Internal Publics Employees
Executive Team
Board of Directors
Corporate Officers
Shareholders
These internal publics should always be notified first before the other publics. However,
depending on the seriousness of the crisis, sometimes only critical personnel are notified
first and then following the critical personnel all other employees will be notified shortly
after. It is vital that these internal publics be notified prior to external publics because
these publics are the ones who keep this company running smoothly and have much of
their time and effort invested in the company’s future. A press release should be sent out
to the internal personnel outlining the who, what, when, where and why (if known) of the
incident. The board of directors will receive a phone call, via satellite phone, as well as a
e-mail because it is imperative that they hear of this issue as soon as possible because
they are the ones with the decision making power in a situation such as this.
External Publics
Customers
Media
Competitors
Government Officials
Public Officials
Surrounding Communities
Legal Representatives
Union Officials
Community Leaders
Financial Partners
Since the amount of External Publics is much larger than internal, the external publics
will need to be reached by different means of notification. These external publics will be
notified through the media, press briefings, press releases, town meetings and forums.
Dole Food’s will also put additional information regarding the crisis on our web site
www.dole.com and will be updated as soon as any further information is gathered.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 10
CRISIS COMMUNICATION TEAM
This is a following list of the Crisis Team that must be contacted immediately in a chance
of a crisis. The team consists of Dole’s Corporate Officers, Board of Directors and Public
Relations team. David A. DeLorenzo is to be the first contacted via satellite phone. He is
the president of Dole Food Company Inc. and is in charge of calling the next on the list of
Corporate Officers, these lists will go on in the order listed below. He is also responsible
for then calling Elaine Chao who will call Andrew Conrad and continue in this phone tree
manner. Finally, David A. DeLorenzo is also responsible for calling Bill Stuart to start
the phone tree through the Public Relations Team.
Work
Phone
Cell
Phone
Home
Phone
Corporate Officers
David A. DeLorenzo President-Dole Food
410-555-
2324
410-555-
5541
703-555-
5591 [email protected]
David H. Murdock Chairman and CEO
410-555-
5551
410-555-
5542
703-555-
5592 [email protected]
Joseph S. Tesoriero Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President
410-555-
5552
410-555-
5543
703-555-
5593 [email protected]
Jean-Christophe Juilliard Executive Vice President of
General Counsel
410-555-
5553
410-555-
5544
703-555-
5594 [email protected]
John T. Schouten Executive Vice President of
Strategy, Development and
Planning
410-555-
5554
410-555-
5545
703-555-
5595 [email protected]
C. Michael Carter Corporate Secretary of the
General Counsel
410-555-
5555
410-555-
5546
703-555-
5596 [email protected]
Yoon H. Hugh Chief Accounting Officer and
Corporate Controller
410-555-
5556
410-555-
5547
703-555-
5597 [email protected]
Danko Stambuk Senior Vice President of
Manufacturing
410-555-
5557
410-555-
5548
703-555-
5598 [email protected]
Roberta Wieman Executive Vice President of
Marketing and Public
Relations
410-555-
5558
410-555-
5549
703-555-
5599 [email protected]
Bill Meehan Senior Vice President of Real
Estate
410-555-
5559
410-555-
5550
703-555-
5560 [email protected]
Jennifer Volgue Senior Vice President of
Finance
410-555-
5560
410-555-
6767
703-555-
4545 [email protected]
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 11
Board of Directors
Elaine Chao 410-555-
5518
410-555-
5568
703-555-
5609 [email protected]
Andrew Conrad 410-555-
5519
410-555-
5569
703-555-
5610 [email protected]
Dennis Weinberg 410-555-
5520
410-555-
5570
703-555-
5611 [email protected]
David Murdock Jr. 410-555-
5521
410-555-
5571
703-555-
5612 [email protected]
Sherry Lansing 410-555-
5522
410-555-
5572
703-555-
5613 [email protected]
Donald T. Nicolaisen 410-555-
5523
410-555-
5573
703-555-
5614 [email protected]
Thomas H. O'Brien 410-555-
5524
410-555-
5574
703-555-
5615 [email protected]
Clarence Otis, Jr. 410-555-
5525
410-555-
5575
703-555-
5616 [email protected]
Hugh B. Price 410-555-
5526
410-555-
5576
703-555-
5617 [email protected]
Public Relations
Bill Stuart Executive Director
410-555-
5531
410-555-
5581
703-555-
5622 [email protected]
Dr. Ramesh Rao Assistant Director
410-555-
5532
410-555-
5582
703-555-
5623 [email protected]
Dr. Pamela Tracy 410-555-
5533
410-555-
5583
703-555-
5624 [email protected]
Dr. Naomi Johnson 410-555-
5534
410-555-
5584
703-555-
5625 [email protected]
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 12
MEDIA SPOKESPERSON
In the case that high levels of the toxic bacteria patulin are found in Dole’s 100% apple
juice resulting in the immediate recall of all bottles in the state of Virginia, it is important
the spokesperson be knowledgeable about all components that may affect this crisis.
Because patulin has been found to be life threatening in laboratory mice and scientists
believe it will have the same effects in humans, David H. Murdock, Chairman and CEO
will be the head spokesperson for the recall of Dole’s 100% apple juice due to increased
patulin levels. He will be assisted by Roberta Wieman, Executive Vice President of
Marketing and Public Relations, as well as John T. Schouten, Executive Vice President of
Strategy, Development, and Planning. In a case were expert opinion is needed these
officials should call on professionals rather than attempting to answer questions with risk
of losing credibility. Bill Stuart, Executive Director of Public Relations will be with
these spokespeople at all times to ensure effective communication. Spokespeople should
utilize concise language, pleasant demeanor and an appearance that is rational, concerned
and empathetic.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 13
EMERGENCEY PERSONNEL AND LOCAL OFFICIALS
Below is a list of Emergency personnel and political officials to be contacted in the event
of a recall of Dole’s 100% apple juice due to increase levels of the bacteria patulin in
bottles distributed across Virginia. They are trained to handle real life crises:
Colonel W. Steven Flaherty
Virginia State Police Department
Cell: 703-888-9910
Work: 703-999-1021
Home: 703-444-5555
E-mail: [email protected]
Connor Griffin Foote
City of Richmond Fire Department
Cell: 557-555-6789
Work: 404-555-6233
Home: 557-555-3264
E-mail: [email protected]
Deputy Jon Matthew Washko
District of Columbia Police Department
Cell: 571-555-2543
Work: 202-555-4987
Home: 202-555-6342
E-mail: [email protected]
Joel Sebastian Temme
District of Columbia Volunteer Fire Department
Cell: 571-555-0089
Work: 202-555-5542
Home: 202-555-6743
E-mail: [email protected]
Tina Fey
Mayor of District of Columbia
Cell: 703-555-8922
Work: 202-555-6511
Home: 202-555-8832
E-mail: [email protected]
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 14
KEY MEDIA
Below is a list of key media contacts that are to be invited to press briefings or made
aware of press releases. Listed are general media who can reach key publics.
Claire B. Gwaltney Mary E. Glass
Fox News Program Manager The Richmond Times Dispatch
Cell: 555-234-2343 Cell: 545-6789-9999
Work: 555-565-2347 Work: 787-999-0909
Home: 555-222-3454 Home: 804-666-0000
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Tammy S. Pinkston
CBS News Program Manager
Cell: 555-343-4542
Work: 555-456-9382
Home: 555-999-8765
E-mail: [email protected]
Al P. Herman
ABC News Program Manager
Cell: 555-386-4569
Work: 555-398-5963
Home: 765- 444-9999
E-mail: [email protected]
Octavia A. Rush
USA Today News Section
Cell: 555-392-5932
Work: 555-391-4839
Home: 555-391-4839
E-mail: [email protected]
Eugenia T. Fitzgerald
The Washington Post Business Section
Cell: 555-482-5839
Work: 555-382-9592
Home: 676- 786-8888
E-mail: [email protected]
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 15
SPOKESPEOPLE FOR RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
Below is a list of spokespeople for related organizations. These people can be contacted
if necessary in the case of an emergency.
Harold Thomas
Chiquita Brands
Cell: 222-810-4343
Work: 222-810-8737
Home: 222-810-9345
E-mail: [email protected]
Carrie Kessler
Del Monte Foods
Cell: 777-456-7398
Work: 568-836-5938
Home: 834-859-2847
E-mail: [email protected]
Randy Harris
Fresh Del Monte Produce
Cell: 367-743-6738
Work: 834-437-3232
Home: 756-784-9873
E-mail: [email protected]
David McCann
Fyffes
Cell: 501-837- 8473
Work: 501-905-7962
Home: 847-837-1490
E-mail: [email protected]
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 16
Crisis Communication Center
If a recall of Dole’s 100% apple juice distributed within Virginia was needed due to
increased levels of the toxic bacteria patulin, all of the critical and non-critical crisis team
members are to convene at the Westlake Village, California headquarters. All employee
and verified crisis responders have a key to this building and have permission to use the
facilities as necessary.
Alternate Locations
If for some reason the Westlake Village, California headquarters are unavailable, here is
a list of alternate locations where the crisis team and necessary employees should
reconvene to set up the next steps to be taken in order to address the recall of Dole’s
entire 100% apple across the state of Virginia. In the event that Dole’s headquarters is
unavailable, the crisis team will move to the conference center at the Hyatt in Westlake
Village, California. We have permission from the hotel to use this building as our
headquarters for as long as necessary pending available space. In the event that the Hyatt
is in use in the time of crisis, the headquarters will be move to the Four Seasons also in
Westlake Village, California. Contact information for the both hotel managers is listed
below. These are the only places the headquarters should be stationed, as we have been
granted special permission to use them and they both provide excellent settings for media
interviews.
Hyatt Westlake Plaza
808 S. Westlake Blvd.
Westlake Village, California 91361
Bobby Yoder
Cell: 543-847-9752
Work: 324-453-3245
Home: 239-346-2347
E-mail: [email protected]
Four Seasons Hotel
2 Dole Drive
Westlake Village, California 91362
Stacy Righter
Cell: 323-434-3424
Work: 134-435-4868
Home: 843-432-4857
E-mail: [email protected]
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 17
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
In most cases the crisis communication team will be located at Dole’s headquarters in
Westlake Village, California. Therefore, all equipment and necessary supplies are stored
in conference rooms and closets. If a situation should arise and the crisis communication
team cannot convene at Dole’s headquarters and the team is move to either the Hyatt or
the Four Seasons, each location has been provided with a list of pre-gathered materials
needed. This list is provided below. Also, a list of materials that should be gathered by
the crisis team and taken to the new site is listed below.
Pre-gathered materials at the site:
Tables
Chairs
Surge protectors
Extension cords
Wireless routers
Walkie talkies
Food and water Printers
Copy machine
Fax machine
Cameras and film
Podium
Stage
Microphone and amp
Television and radio
Telephone book
Telephones
Bulletin board
Chalk/ dry erase board
Clip boards
First-aid kit
Things brought by Crisis Team:
Personal laptop with broadband connection Copy of crisis plan Change of Clothes Employee Identification Cards Critical Documents- keep these accessible and all together so they can be
retrieved quickly in the event of an emergency Company letterhead, pens, pencils
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 18
PRE-GATHERED INFORMATION
The following information will be pre-gathered and stored at the Hyatt and Four Seasons
Hotel in case of an emergency. Crisis responders should refer to this information as
needed.
Previous 5 years Annual report
All Food and Drug Administration regulations regarding acceptable levels of
patulin in apple juice
File of all previous press briefings and press releases
Reactions to recalls
Dates of equipment inspections
Diagrams on the equipment makeup
List of regulations Dole requires workers to follow in order to prevent increased
levels of patulin in apple juice
Press kits full of information regarding the crisis
Figures regarding how many could’ve been affected
Background information on similar companies and reports regarding recalls they
have encountered
Layout or Blueprints of all possible Crisis Centers mapped out with designated
areas for certain departments
Company fact sheet
WEBPAGE
Dole Food Company’s Webmaster, Harrison Wright, will be constantly updating the
website with information about the crisis. The link to the website, as well as Wright’s
contact information is listed below.
www.dole.com/crisiscommunication
Harrison Wright
Cell: 555-666-7890
Work: 676-444-9090
Home: 333-888-9999
E-mail: [email protected]
WEBSITES AND RELATED LINKS
Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 19
KEY MESSAGES
Key messages must be short, concise, and specific and explain Dole’s stance on the crisis
at hand. They are to be repeated multiple times to the specific key publics and should
contain the most important information. Key messages usually contain William Benoit’s
Typology of Crisis Response Strategies or Ware and Likugel’s Rehetorical Strategies of
Apologia.
Corrective action- Promise to customers and employees to either repair the
damage caused by an offensive act or to prevent recurrence of the offensive act.
An example of this would be: “Dole Food Company, Inc. has strict apple picking
regulations in place in order to assure that this never becomes an issue again.
While we have many requirements for our products we are continually evaluating
them as necessary to so that our company may continue to ensure safe products.
Dole plans to hold a workshop with the plantation managers at One Hundred
Acres Farm in order assure that the workers are following these regulations to the
tee.” It is important to use corrective action as a strategy in conveying key
messages to the public because it shows that Dole is not ignoring the problem and
is actively trying to take steps to ensure that its customers are never troubled with
a recall again.
Compensation- Reduce offensiveness by reimbursing victims. An example of a
key message using compensation is: “Those customers who have been affected
by the increased patulin levels are advised to seek medical attention. Dole Food
Company, Inc. will pay for the required blood test in order to prove increased
patulin levels.” It is important to use compensation as a strategy in conveying the
key messages because it shows that Dole is willing to reimburse victims of this
crisis and shows that the company understands their customer’s feelings and
inconveniences.
Bolstering- Reduce the offensiveness by stressing the good traits of the company.
An example of this would be: “It has always been Dole’s mission to supply the
consumer and our customers with the finest, high-quality products and to leading
the industry in nutrition research and education. Dole is committed to following
all Food and Drug Administration regulations regarding acceptable levels of
patulin in apple juice.” By stressing the good traits of Dole, this is a step in the
right direction of earning the consumers trust back.
Differentiation- Reduce the offensiveness of the company’s actions by
dissociating the current event. An example of this would be: “Dole would like to
stress that this incident is very atypical for our company.” This strategy proves to
the customer that Dole has always been and will always be a trustworthy provider
of apple juice and other fresh food products.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 20
TRICK QUESTIONS
It is important to remember that the media can often times ask trick questions in order to
try and crack the story. Many public spokespeople have fallen victim to these trick
questions and it is important to be aware and prepared for these types of inquiries. First
and foremost, remember that the only people who should be addressing the media are the
ones appointed for that position and have been outlined in this crisis plan with
appropriate contact information and chain of command. However, for those addressing
the media, it is important to remain calm and try not to become defensive when receiving
questions that you may not be fully prepared to answer. Remember to never speculate
about the crisis at hand and to stay honest and truthful when responding to questions.
Do you follow all national regulations regarding acceptable levels of patulin in
bottled apple juice?
o Dole prides itself on following all FDA regulations regarding acceptable
levels of patulin in bottled apple juice. Following strict apple picking
regulations will prevent patulin levels over 50 micrograms per kilogram.
Do you have reason to believe that there is patulin in other Dole products that
contain apple juice?
o No, because Dole follows strict apple picking regulations there is no
reason to believe that any other product has been affected. Also, Dole
relies on the tests conducted by the Food Standards Agency to make sure
our products are within acceptable ranges regarding patulin levels. I
would like to stress that this incident is very atypical of Dole Food
Company Inc.
Why does Dole rely on a third party agency to conduct the necessary testing to
detect unacceptable levels of patulin?
o To put it simply, Dole does not have the necessary resources to conduct
these tests. The tests require a lot of time and money. However, since our
costumer’s safety is number one, we rely on the Food Standards Agency
to service as a form of checks and balances. We will continue to utilize
their services because they are doing a great thing for public safety.
How will you notify daycares?
o Again, all customers who have purchased Dole’s 100% apple juice are
encouraged to check our website or call the hotline 1-800-DOLE to ensure
that their bottles are not in the affected batch.
How will you gain your customers trust back?
o Our customer’s satisfaction has been and always will be number one to us.
Dole prides itself on following all Food and Drug Administration
regulations regarding acceptable levels of patulin in bottled apple juice. If
any customer feels as if they are suffering from the affects of increased
patulin, we urge you to seek immediate medical attention.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 21
SAMPLE PRESS BRIEFING
Good afternoon. My name is Lindsay Smith. I am the Chief Administrative
Officer for Dole Food Company, Inc. A routine food survey conducted by the Food
Standards Agency has found unacceptably high levels of a naturally occurring chemical,
patulin, in a sample of Dole’s bottled 100% apple juice. Of the three samples the
independent laboratory tested, only one sample had unacceptable levels. The affected
product is from batch code MAR10D and has a best before date of March 2010. The
apples used to make the juice were grown at the One Hundred Acre Plantation at Dole
Food’s headquarters in Westlake Village, California. The approximately 2,000 bottles of
apple juice within this batch have been made available to supermarkets across Virginia.
Patulin is a toxic chemical produced by a number of molds, such as brown rot in apples.
Patulin has been found to cause a range of adverse effects in laboratory animals. It can
affect the developing fetus, immune system, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract and
cause DNA damage. There is concern that similar effects may occur in humans.
Currently, two children have been reported with flu like systems. After several blood
tests, doctors linked this to a weakened immune system caused by high levels of patulin.
Their conditions is non-life threatening and the children are recovering comfortably at
home.
First, our hearts and prays go out to the families that have been affected. It has
always been Dole’s mission to supply the consumer and our customers with the finest,
high-quality products and to leading the industry in nutrition research and education.
Dole is committed to following all Food and Drug Administration regulations regarding
acceptable levels of patulin in apple juice. Dole would like to stress that this incident is
very atypical for our company.
When Dole was notified about the increased levels of patulin in our bottled apple
juice an investigation began in order to determine which batch contained the heightened
levels. Since it was determined by the Food Standards Agency that the infected apple
juice was in batch MAR10D, we immediately recalled all bottles that were in that batch.
We have issued a food hazard warning asking local enforcement officers to check that
apple juice from this batch has all been removed from sales. Consumers are also being
advised to not drink apple juice from this batch. A link to this warning can be found on
the home page of our website www. dole.com, it includes the skew numbers of all bottles
within the effected batch and a list of symptoms related to high levels of patulin
ingestion. The hotline 1-800-DOLE has also been set up for costumers to call to check if
their bottles are included in the batch and to report possible illnesses. Those costumers
who have been affected by the increased patulin levels are advised to seek medical
attention. Dole Food Company, Inc. will pay for the required blood test in order to prove
increased patulin levels.
Dole Food Company, Inc. has strict apple picking regulations in place in order to
assure that this never becomes an issue again. Our workers are given the following
regulations to follow to cut down on patulin levels.
do not use fallen apples
store apples in a cool environment
check apples regularly for an signs of rot or mold and remove those apples
immediately
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 22
wash equipment carefully after use
during the dormant season, remove and destroy all diseased wood and
decayed fruits
prune trees to allow good air movement through the tree and light
penetration into the tree
While we have many requirements for our products we are continually evaluating
them as necessary to so that our company may continue to ensure safe products. Dole
plans to hold a workshop with the plantation managers at One Hundred Acres Farm in
order assure that the workers are following these regulations to the tee.
We encourage our customers to contact us if they find defects in any of our
products so that we can continue to provide quality food for you and to raise awareness
about products that may cause illness. We sincerely hope that we can reduce any future
issues with our apple juice by keeping our customers up to date with information about
product recalls. We urge all customers to check our website for continuous updates.
Dole Food Company, Inc. values their customers and understands the trust consumers
place in us to ensure that our products are safe and we take this responsibility very
seriously. At this time I will accept questions from the press.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 23
PRODROMES
Below is a list of actions Dole can take to prevent this crisis from occurring in the future.
These actions should occur often and regularly. Should any other warning signs arise,
they should be dealt with immediately with the interest of preventing a crisis.
Bi- annual inspections from the Food and Drug administration
Bi- annual background check of all Dole Food employees
Offer crisis planning
Stay informed of aging equipment and possible malfunctions
Weekly inspections of apple trees
Weekly pruning of trees to ensure air penetration
Bi-annual checks of communication technologies
Ensure that all apple pickers are following all regulations regarding acceptable
apples. This will be done through seasonal training sessions.
DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC. CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 24
EVALUATION FORM
The following is an evaluation form. Please fill this form out and return it to your
administrator. This form will provide necessary feedback regarding the efficiency of this
crisis communication plan. Thank you for your corporation and please know that Dole
Food Company Inc. values our employees and realizes that we could not do it without
you.
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very little and 5 being very much, please rate the
following statements.
1. I agree with the proposed bi-annual crisis rehearsal dates.
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
2. I understand my role in notifying the crisis communication team members.
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
3. My contact information provided in this crisis communication plan is accurate.
Yes No
Comments:
4. I feel comfortable conducting a press briefing.
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
5. As a whole, I think this crisis communication plan is effective and will be
beneficial to Dole Food Company Inc.
1 2 3 4 5
Comments: