Organic Consumers Association Takes Legal Action Against Calavo Growers

Organic Consumers Association, with Richman Law & Policy, Sue Calavo Growers Over Misleading “Better for the Planet” Avocado Marketing Claims

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Organic Consumers Association and Richman Law & Policy filed a complaint against Calavo Growers on October 4, 2024, in the District of Columbia Superior Court. The complaint alleges that Calavo Growers, in violation of the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act, deceptively markets its avocados as “sustainable,” responsibly grown, and “better for the planet” when they are in reality driving deforestation.

Calavo Growers, the complaint alleges, misleads consumers by claiming that its “avocado trees contribute to fighting climate change by capturing and storing CO2,” while asserting that its operations “improve[] soil health,” “promote[] water efficiency” and “support[] strong farming communities.”

Calavo Growers claims to adhere to a “sustainability framework,” which includes “climate action, social responsibility, sustainable agriculture, and sound governance”

Despite these assurances, Mexican government shipping records show that during the years 2022 through the beginning of 2024 Calavo sourced over 800,000 kilograms of avocados (roughly 8 million avocados) from at least fifteen orchards operating on deforested land in Michoacán and Jalisco. The complaint contains before-and-after images of the deforested land Calavo Growers is sourcing avocados from, according to Mexican government records.