MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT 2016
The Kraft Heinz Foods Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively “Kraft Heinz”) is committed to Growing a Better World by enhancing the quality of people’s lives through sustainability, health and wellness and social responsibility. Kraft Heinz places a high value on an ethical and transparent supply chain, and supports initiatives aimed to eradicate slavery and human trafficking. Kraft Heinz demands all business partners demonstrate a clear commitment to protecting the rights of workers worldwide, and does not tolerate the use of forced labor—including human trafficking and slavery.
Kraft Heinz Structure
Kraft Heinz is a globally trusted producer of delicious foods, with over 200 brands in its global portfolio. The U.S.-based Kraft Heinz Foods Company is the parent company for all direct and indirect subsidiaries located in nearly 200 countries around the world. The Kraft Heinz Foods Company is co-headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Supply Chains
Our supply chains are primarily focused on the sourcing, warehousing and transporting of the raw materials, ingredients and packaging required for the manufacture of our food and beverage products globally. All business partners, including but not limited to suppliers of raw materials, ingredients and packaging, are required to demonstrate a clear commitment to protecting the rights of workers worldwide. Specifically, suppliers are required to adhere to our Supplier Guiding Principles. Upon request, a supplier must certify its compliance with all such principles.
Policies on Slavery and Anti-Trafficking
Internal Accountability
Kraft Heinz is committed to ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business, including our supply chain. Each Kraft Heinz employee is expected to conduct business legally and ethically and comply with certain established company standards, including but not limited to the prohibition of forced labor and the employment of anyone under the local legal working age. All such standards are outlined in the Employee Code of Conduct. Failure to meet the Kraft Heinz standards on forced labor or minimum age requirements is a violation of corporate policy. Violators are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Training
The most recent version of the Kraft Heinz Employee Code of Conduct is accessible to all employees globally. Kraft Heinz utilizes a modular training program for the various components of the Employee Code of Conduct, meaning the focus of the trainings is established in accordance with the employee’s function within the company.
Certification by Direct Suppliers
Kraft Heinz purchasing contracts require suppliers to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the fulfillment of its duties under the contract and to adhere to the principles contained in the Supplier Guiding Principles. Suppliers are required to certify their compliance with the Supplier Guiding Principles at the request of Kraft Heinz, and are required to permit Kraft Heinz and its designated agents (including any third parties) to engage in monitoring activities, including on-site inspections. If the supplier is unable to resolve any issues Kraft Heinz reserves the right to take additional action against the supplier, including but not limited to termination of the business relationship.
Supplier Compliance Audits
Kraft Heinz reserves the right, either through itself or a designated third party, to verify a supplier’s compliance with the principles contained in the Supplier Guiding Principles. If Kraft Heinz becomes aware of any supplier actions or conditions not in compliance with Kraft Heinz’s communicated standards, including the principles contained in the Supplier Guiding Principles, such actions or conditions are subject to review by Kraft Heinz. Kraft Heinz reserves the right to require corrective actions be taken and/or to terminate any such agreement with a supplier.
Verification and Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Anti-trafficking
As detailed above, Kraft Heinz actively identifies and monitors all risks within its supply chain, including combining both internal and external resources to mitigate the risk of slavery and trafficking within its supply chain. Two principles contained within the Kraft Heinz Employee Code of Conduct are adherence to the highest ethical standards and the duty to speak up. Kraft Heinz encourages employees to report any issues through an ethics helpline and ensures these are handled anonymously and confidentially. Additionally, our suppliers are required to adhere to similar policies and principles in purchasing contracts.
Measuring our effectiveness
Kraft Heinz will continue to update its policies and procedures applicable to its supply chain as Kraft Heinz, our brands and our supply chain evolves.
