Kraft Foods has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the sixth year in a row on the North America Index and fifth year running on the World Index. This honor recognizes the company's economic, environmental and social performance.
Kraft Foods achieved the food industry's leading scores in operational eco-efficiency for a third year in a row, and this year had leading scores in innovation management, codes of conduct/compliance and corporate citizenship/philanthropy.
"Making the Index for the sixth straight year is a fantastic accomplishment and is evidence that all our employees are contributing to our success," said Steve Yucknut, vice president for sustainability. "Business teams and functions around the world have fostered empowerment at the grass roots level, which is transforming behaviors and delivering change. And it is this focus, support and enthusiasm that will take us even farther."
Continuing Progress Against Sustainability Goals
Kraft Foods has made steady progress against its aggressive 2011 sustainability goals, using 2005 as a base year and measured against total production:
- 174 million pounds (nearly 80 million kilograms) of packaging material eliminated (exceeding 150 million pound goal two years early)
- 15 percent reduction in plant energy use (towards a goal of 25 percent)
- 17 percent reduction in plant energy-related carbon dioxide emissions (toward a goal of 25 percent)
- 32 percent reduction in plant water consumption (exceeding 15 percent goal two years early)
- 30 percent reduction in plant waste (doubling goal of 15 percent two years early)
As a food company, Kraft Foods has a history of supporting sustainable agriculture programs. Work with Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certification models enables more scale in more locations, accelerating sustainable development. Today, Kraft Foods has more than 15 coffee and cocoa product lines carrying either the Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance Certified marks. And the company provides significant cash and in-kind support for sustainable agriculture programs in farming communities. For more information, visit www.kraftfoodscompany.com/responsibility to view the company's Responsibility Report.
About the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (www.sustainability-indexes.com) are the first global stock indexes tracking financial performance of leading sustainability-driven companies. Updated annually, companies are reviewed based on a thorough analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labor practices. The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index recognizes the top 10 percent of the biggest 2,500 companies worldwide based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. The Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index captures the leading 20 percent of the largest 600 North American companies of the Dow Jones Global Index in terms of sustainability.
About Kraft Foods
With annual revenues of approximately $48 billion, Kraft Foods is the world's second-largest food company, making products for billions of consumers in approximately 170 countries. The portfolio includes 11 iconic brands with revenues exceeding $1 billion – Oreo, Nabisco and LU biscuits; Milka and Cadbury chocolates; Trident gum; Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees; Philadelphia cream cheeses; Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; and Oscar Mayer meats. Approximately 70 brands generate annual revenues of more than $100 million.
