Dole’s Americaflor Earns Environmental Certification

Americaflor, a subsidiary of Dole Food Co. in Westlake Village and provider of its cut flowers and bouquets, has received environmental certification from the International Organization for Standardization.

Americaflor is the largest grower of fresh flowers in the world and is the first flower producer to become certified under the environmental management standard, Dole officials said. The certification means that Americaflor’s 20 farms in Colombia and Ecuador and associated operations have trained more than 12,000 employees in environmental awareness, prevention of pollution and safe practices.

The certification comes after a review by independent auditors who certify that companies have a policy to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and policies.

Dole, with 1999 revenue of $5.1 billion, is the world’s largest producer and marketer of fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh-cut flowers and markets a growing line of packaged foods.