How do we keep the promises made in our policies?
In Europe we have a core team that is responsible for ensuring that our policies are communicated to all our suppliers and business partners. This team is also charged with the task of helping our suppliers and business partners to implement and maintain various independent standards. It is these standards that provide the assurance that we keep our promises. It’s a process of continuous improvement, a never-ending loop of striving to do more and be better at what we do.
This team is part of a global team that meets regularly so that we learn from each other; by sharing our learnings and best practices.
To ensure that our products are fresh, safe, sustainably produced, nutritious for you and make you feel good, we follow 4 basic steps in all the activities we do:
We create awareness amongst suppliers, operations partners and customers about the expectations of Dole, in association with its valuable brand name, in terms of quality, safety and environmental, social and legal responsibility. Further Dole due diligence commitment according to the law is supported by constant updates in legislation in communication with trade associations and direct links to governing authorities in the countries we operate.
- We promote prevention activities, sharing experience and demanding that 3rd parties achieve certified standards that reflect international requirements for manufacturing food, preserving the environment and protecting our people and those of our partners, throughout the entire supply chain managed by Dole. To read more about these standards, visit dole.com/corporateresponsibility/certifications.
- We exercise control through quality inspections and fruit residue analysis before shop delivery of representative lots, differentiating these by means of an effective tracking and tracing system that fully meets customer expectations.
- We manage problem cases, preferably before they enter the market but also, when necessary, after they have entered the market. Our standard operating procedures and responsibilities are well defined and tested - usually enabling us to find the problems before they find us!