Harvesting Company Fined for Raspberry Field Pesticide Exposure

A California harvesting company has been fined $56,000 over a pesticide exposure in Santa Cruz County — the largest such fine ever assessed by the county — that sickened more than a dozen farm laborers working in a raspberry field last year.

Los Amigos Harvesting, of Watsonville, CA, could not be reached for comment. A company spokesman told the Santa Cruz Sentinel the company disputes the county’s investigation, and seeks a hearing to review the commissioner’s findings to present information the company considers accurate.

According to the newspaper, there were 15 workers sickened from pesticide exposure. They suffered vomiting, dizziness, headaches, difficulty breathing, or high temperature, according to investigation reports. Eight workers were taken to a hospital or clinic.