Dole Food Company, Inc. has resolved a class action lawsuit that alleged deceptive business practices regarding bananas sourced to the company from Guatemala.

In a November 2012 press release, Seattle-law firm Hagens Berman claimed Dole had knowingly purchased almost 300 million pounds of bananas from a Guatemalan producer that devastated the local environment.

The firm alleged that Agro-industrial Company Bananera Nacional built a dam to protect its plantations, resulting in extensive flooding and the draining of 1,200 acres of pristine wetlands.

Although Dole denies the claims behind the lawsuit, the company has agreed to collaborate on a water filter project with Water and Sanitation Health, Inc. to aid Guatemalan communities.

"While Dole denies the allegations made against it and its grower in the lawsuit, Dole has reached this resolution because it believes continued outreach and education regarding water sanitation techniques will benefit the local communities," the company said in a media statement.

Dole Latin America President Jonathan Bass said the project is an extension of Dole's commitment to developing world-class environmental and sustainable standards.

"Dole is proud to contribute to these efforts to assist local communities in Guatemala. Our grower, who is fully certified by numerous independent certifying agencies, is already a long-standing champion for the local communities and has made significant charitable contributions to enhance social welfare, health, and well-being," Bass said.

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