Image recovery for Pineapple production in Valle Verde after unjustified allegations

The Costa Rican pineapple producer Valle Verde it's honour is restored, after research has shown that their organic certification has been unjustly withdrawn. In 2016, complaints were filed to the Costa Rican ministry of agriculture against Congelados y Jugos Valle Verde S.A., Del Valle Verde Corp S.A., and L y L Proyectos MMV S.A., (the “Valle Verde Companies”), along with Costa de Oro Internacional.

This initially resulted in the suspension of Congelados y Jugos Valle Verde S.A.’s Costa Rican organic certification. That suspension was reversed by Resolution DFSE 22-2016 on December 23, 2016 following a detailed investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture. According to Valle Verde and Costa de Oro International, it were their competitors, masquerading as delegates of Costa Rica’s National Organic Commission and CANAGRO to procure a meeting with the USDA NOP in an effort to undermine the Valle Verde Companies, and contacting Costa de Oro’s customers with claims that the Valle Verde Companies’ organic accreditation status in Costa Rica was at risk based on an ultimately discredited document.

Presumably the USDA NOP also undertook an investigation of the Valle Verde Companies. On August 3, 2017, the NOP’s Compliance and Enforcement Division sent out a Complaint Closure Notice, formally closing the investigation into the Valle Verde Companies. As no evidence was found of nonorganic pineapple being sold as organic. In addition, the committee announced that the Costa Rican government would reverse its decision to withdraw the certificate.

While the Valle Verde Companies and Costa de Oro have been vindicated, this case caused significant financial damage as well as damage to the Valle Verde Companies’ and Costa de Oro’s reputations. In an effort to redress these wrongdoings and hold those involved responsible, Congelados y Jugos Valle Verde S.A. has commenced litigation against various suspects. Additionally, the Valle Verde Companies and Costa de Oro intend to continue their cooperation with officials in both the United States and Costa Rica to ensure that the wrongdoers are justly punished to ensure such issues never happen again.

For more information:
CONGELADOS Y JUGOS VALLE VERDE
Alajuela, Costa Rica
T: (506) 2404-1505
E: info@congeladosvv.com
www.congeladosvv.com

COSTA DE ORO INTERNACIONAL
San José, Costa Rica
T: (506) 2272-2293
E: info@costadeoroexports.com
www.costadeoroexports.com