Major UK supermarkets Morrisons and Iceland have joined others in cutting ties with a Del Monte pineapple plantation Thika due to ongoing human rights abuse allegations.
Last year, an investigative report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) and The Guardian exposed violence and killings committed by the farm’s guards in Thika. Following the exposé, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose stopped selling Del Monte pineapples from the farm.
Despite previous action by other supermarkets, violence has reportedly continued. Recent TBIJ findings detail the discovery of four bodies near the farm in December and bystanders being injured by stray bullets during clashes between police and local youth.
Facing criticism for continued sales, Morrisons announced on Thursday they are moving their tinned pineapple sourcing out of Kenya entirely until Del Monte demonstrates a fully implemented human rights improvement plan. Iceland confirmed they are no longer offering products from Del Monte farm.
Aine Clarke of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre emphasized the importance of companies engaging in dialogue with all stakeholders affected by allegations of abuse.
In May, Witnesses reported to TBIJ that farm security guards, allegedly supported by police, chased suspected pineapple thieves onto highways and into villages, using tear gas and discharging firearms.
This incident coincides with Del Monte’s decision in March to transfer security operations to G4S, resulting in job losses for the farm’s in-house security personnel. G4S maintains their guards are unarmed and receive extensive training in de-escalation and minimal force techniques while respecting human rights.
They also claim their officers remain solely within the farm’s boundaries. Del Monte has not yet responded to requests for comment.
