The Wonderful Company controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile6 entries
2024
Labor-law challenge
The company sought to halt a California law intended to make unionization easier for agricultural workers after United Farm Workers began representing some employees in Kern County.
2019
Wonderful sues Fresno County over pistachio plant permits
Lawsuit filed
Wonderful Co. sued Fresno County, alleging the county illegally issued construction permits for the Assemi family's planned pistachio processing plant without required environmental reviews. Wonderful sought to block additional permits and have some existing permits rescinded until the required review was completed.
Source excerpt
Wonderful’s suit seeks to block Fresno County from issuing additional permits for the Assemi processing plant and to force the county to rescind some existing permits, “until such time that all required environmental review is completed in compliance with CEQA.”
Wonderful's suit, filed this week in Superior Court in Fresno, alleges that the county has illegally issued construction permits to the Assemis.
The Wonderful suit, filed this week in Superior Court in Fresno, alleges that the county has illegally issued construction permits to the Assemis. Permits should be revoked and construction should halt because the planned structures did not undergo required reviews to make sure they would comply with state environmental laws, the suit says.
2016
Wonderful Pistachios recall
Wonderful Pistachios products were recalled after being linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak.
2015
POM Wonderful health-claim case
The Federal Trade Commission concluded that certain POM Wonderful advertising claims about preventing, treating, or reducing disease risks were deceptive and misleading.
Kern Water Bank ownership controversy
Journalists, academics, and advocacy groups have criticized the private control exercised by the Resnick family's agricultural interests over a substantial share of the Kern Water Bank, a facility developed with public investment. The controversy concerns privatization, water access, and economic benefits to the company's farming operations.
California drought and water-use criticism
The company has faced criticism for expanding water-intensive agriculture during California droughts. Critics have also alleged that it supported lobbying or opposition research favorable to agricultural water use; the allegations and their characterization remain contested.