Del Monte Foods India Pvt. Ltd in Batavarapalli Village

Village Batavarapalli’s Petition against Del Monte & Bharti Del Monte instituted on June 8 2008

Bharti Del Monte’s mission statement About Bharti Del Monte India Private Limited:Bharti Del Monte India Private Limited incorporated in September 2004, is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and DMPL India Ltd., which offers fresh fruits & vegetables and processed foods and beverages in the domestic as well as international markets. Bharti Del Monte India Pvt Ltd., in the 'fresh' foods category is the largest Indian exporter of Baby corn and is also engaged in providing 'safe', fresh and hygienic fruits and vegetables in 'convenient' formats to food service and modern retail segments in the domestic market under the Field Fresh brand. The company has recently entered in the 'processed' foods category by launching Del Monte brand in India with a promise to offer the consumers innovative products in foods and beverages - combining great taste and goodness of health.

http://www.bharti.com/

Letter dated Nov 2 2007 from their CEO to Sunblossom Florals indicating take over operations of Del Monte India by Bharti Del Monte

Letter reflects Bharti Del Monte’s mission statement.Reality, is inconsistent with such a mission statement

Company’s processing factory in Southern India, in operation since 2002 – now, permanently closed. Complaints were made in Aug 2007, for continuous discharge of untreated effluents having affected the groundwater. Del Monte and Bharti Del Monte ignored all protests made , starting with the plant management in 2005

Local farmer Muniraju – his newly commissioned bore well discharges contaminated ground water

Other Complainants,

Muni Raja Chari

Nanchappa

&

Batavarapalli Village

Complaint made to state Pollution Control Board, for water and soil contamination. Inspection led to assurance of rectification but, in actual, closure of the processing factory by company’s management.

Under India’s Environment Protection Act procedures, claim has been registered with Hon’ble Justice, Loss of Ecology Authority, Chennai, for compensation and restoration of ecology by farmers and village

Del Monte Pacific’s transgressions in India is not the first by the Singapore headquartered Del Monte Pacific

Del Monte Pacific has been in the news for numerous transgressions

1.Forcible take-over of land by Del Monte in Philippines for their pineapple plantations (YouTube Report)

2.March 2008 - cargo of Endosulfan, a pesticide restricted/ banned in many parts of the world and belonging to Del Monte, sinks off the coast in Philippines

3.$ 100 million lawsuit instituted against Del Monte for illegal marketing of their products