Tesco has suspended Del Monte products sourced from a pineapple farm in Kenya that has been accused of assaulting and killing people suspected of trespassing.
An investigation by The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) has uncovered claims that the use of violence by security guards at the plantation has been excessive.
The farm supplies British supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Ocado with fruit products, and is the largest exporter of Kenyan produce to the world.
Del Monte said it took the allegations “extremely seriously” and has launched its own investigation into the claims.
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Law firm Leigh Day has written to the food production company on behalf of 134 villagers living near the farm looking for compensation over the “serious human rights abuses” allegedly carried out by the guards.
The letter also includes claims of five deaths, five rapes and allegations of serious injuries.
A Tesco spokesperson told The Guardian: “We are shocked and appalled to learn of these allegations on Del Monte’s Thika farm in Kenya.
“We have therefore taken the decision to immediately suspend Del Monte fruit products sourced from this farm pending a thorough and credible investigation into these claims.”
A spokesperson for Fresh Del Monte added: “We take these allegations extremely seriously and have instituted a full and urgent investigation into them.
“The conduct alleged in these cases is in clear violation of Fresh Del Monte’s longstanding commitment to human rights and the comprehensive policies and procedures we have in place to ensure our operations respect the dignity of all individuals.”
