New York (CNN Business) The Walt Disney Co. strongly disputed allegations from family heiress Abigail Disney, who said she found workers struggling when she recently visited Disneyland.

Abigail Disney , in an interview with Yahoo, said Disneyland workers told her they are forced to sift through "other people's garbage" for food, and they are struggling to stay happy. Abigail Disney said she went to Disneyland to observe worker conditions and was "so livid" at what she saw.

In a new statement, the company told CNN Business Wednesday that Abigail Disney's account is "particularly egregious" hyperbole. It said that it ordinarily does not comment on "baseless reports," but it wouldn't "let this stand."

Disney DIS "This widely reported stunt is a gross and unfair exaggeration of the facts that is not only a misrepresentation, but also an insult to the thousands of employees who are part of the Disney community," aspokesman said Wednesday. "We strongly disagree with this characterization of our employees and their experience at Disney."

The company said it currently pays its workers an average of $19.50 an hour, which is more than double the federal minimum wage. Disney pays Disney employees a starting hourly wage of $15. The company has also committed $150 million to its Disney Aspire program that pays for workers to earn a college, high school or vocational degree. And it offers a number of other benefits, including subsidized childcare, leave policies, and access to pharmacies and clinics.

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