Care First
We actively work to safeguard and enable the wellbeing of our people, the quality of our products, and our reputation for trust and integrity.
We actively work to safeguard and enable the wellbeing of our people, the quality of our products, and our reputation for trust and integrity.
We provide products and services that fulfill our customers’ requirements and meet applicable governmental and leading Industry requirements.
We are committed to providing safe and high-quality products, services, and solutions, and need to be constantly up-to-date about customers’ desires and needs. We actively look to obtain and then listen to customer feedback.
If our job duties involve any aspect of developing, handling, packaging, or storing Ingredion products, we must:
As an operator, you discover that there is a possibility that small metal pieces might contaminate a product, which is intended to be food grade. You believe that our procedures for screening processes are such that it is unlikely that product contaminated with metal would be delivered to a customer, however, you know that some of the company’s customers do not have adequate means to screen for metal if contaminated product were delivered. Do you shut down the equipment causing the possible contamination, even if it means a slight decrease in production?
Yes. We never compromise quality or food safety, and immediately report (through the appropriate channels) any concerns about product safety or quality. Remember that this reporting will be confidential information about Ingredion. Contact your local Quality Management representative to discuss your concerns regarding product safety and quality.
We strive to protect the environment and are committed to providing our employees with a safe and secure workplace. We strive for zero injuries and strive to be a global leader in workplace safety.
Environmental stewardship, workplace safety, and security are integral parts of our culture. Our commitment includes:
We respect the rights of workers throughout our supply chain, including contractors and suppliers.
We recognize the rights of our employees and those with whom we do business to be treated with dignity and respect, and in accordance with applicable laws. We expect our business partners to do the same. We will not tolerate the exploitation of children or the use of forced labor or human trafficking. Our respect for human rights means:
Ingredion’s supplier partners must ensure that their workforces are free from child labor and any forms of forced labor, including slave, indentured, bonded, prison labor, or any form of human trafficking. Ingredion does not engage in or support the use of child labor. Ingredion will make reasonable exceptions for those under the age of 18 if the young workers:
Focus: What is child labor?
According to Ingredion’s “Sustainability Standard,” child labor means any worker under 15 years of age that performs work that is mentally or physically dangerous, interferes with their schooling, or is long, heavy work done in conjunction with schooling. In accordance with international guidance, exemptions are made for children doing non-hazardous chores on family farms.
Our due diligence on a supplier's farm reveals that the farmer is paying less than the legal minimum wage. What should we do?
Contact the head of Global Sustainability. This farmer must pay the workers at least the minimum wage for each hour worked.
We strive to be an exemplary corporate citizen and community member and we work to make a positive, lasting impact on the communities where we work and live.
We operate with care and respect for the planet, our employees, and the communities in which we operate.
We believe in creating a better, more sustainable business while delivering shared value to our stakeholders. And we believe in conducting business today in a way that protects our ability to continue to do business in the future.
We are committed to promoting sustainable practices throughout our organization and adhering to high moral and ethical standards wherever we do business.
From our high safety standards to our investments in operational excellence, to our efforts in environmental conservation, and our community stewardship activities, we believe that operating in a sustainable manner benefits more than our business; it benefits the communities where we operate. Ingredion is a member of the UN Global Compact and takes a “precautionary approach” to environmental protection.
Ingredion believes in supporting the long-term sustainability of the agricultural and farming operations that provide us with raw materials. To that end, we seek to:
Ingredion recognizes the rights of all people to clean water, and as good stewards of the environment, we strive to reduce the impacts of our operations on the climate by:
We safeguard personal information entrusted to the company.
Personal information (“PI”) is any data that could potentially identify a specific individual. PI must be protected until its secure disposal. Examples of PI include contact information, such as residential addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses; government assigned identification numbers; financial information such as banking details, salaries, and other compensation information; and employment data, including birth dates.
Personal information entrusted to us can belong to our employees, customers, or outside organizations. Keeping personal information secure is critically important to our employees, our business, and our reputation. Some Ingredion employees work with PI (including particularly sensitive personal information, such as health information) as a part of their jobs. If you work with PI, follow the company’s applicable policies regarding the access, transfer, and use of this information. Remember:
I believe that one of my colleagues is selling employee email addresses to a marketing company. What should I do?
Employee email address lists are confidential and may not be disclosed in this way. Provide all the information you have on this issue to your manager, HR representative, Corporate Compliance, or a member of the Legal Department.
We win because of our exceptional products and service and never using corrupt means to get or maintain business. We do not seek or maintain business by trying to corrupt the judgment of our customers or government officials.
See Ingredion’s Anti-corruption and Bribery Policy
The FCPA defines foreign official as “any officer or employee of a foreign government or any department, agent, or instrumentality thereof.” Government official includes a person who works for or is an agent of a government or government-owned or government- controlled entity. Examples of government officials include:
It has been suggested that I give a $20 “tip” to an employee of a government-owned telephone company to ensure a telephone line is installed on time at a company office. Could giving such a small amount, even out of my own pocket, be against the law?
Yes. Contact your local Legal Team, the Business Integrity Team department, or the Business Ethics Line for help. The transaction . called a facilitating payment, is not allowed even if you use your own funds. It is still a bribe and considered illegal in many countries.
A local inspector visits an Ingredion plant regularly. Recently, the inspector stated that he found deficiencies and threatened to shut down the plant unless the plant manager agreed to make a cash payment to the inspector. The plant manager is concerned about any disruption to production. Since the amount requested is small, she thinks it would be okay to make the payment if it keeps the plant operating. Is she correct?
A: No. The plant manager may think she is helping Ingredion by avoiding disruption at the plant. However, giving anything of value to the inspector under these circumstances would be considered a bribe, as the payment was intended to influence the inspector’s review of the facility. She must not agree to make the payment—and she should contact the Legal Department, Corporate Compliance, or the Business Ethics Line immediately.
We take seriously our commitment to the well-being of animals across our value chain and we understand that this commitment extends to regard for our stakeholders’ concerns.
Ingredion is committed to the prohibition of funding, conducting, and commissioning of all animal testing unless it is explicitly required by law or regulation applicable to our business.
We are responsible for ensuring that our relationships with customers, suppliers, and other business partners are based on objective decisions and are not influenced by gifts or entertainment offers.
Giving or offering even a simple gift or meal to a government official (or someone with a close personal or family relationship with a government official) may violate local and U.S. law (and, if you are not located in the U.S., the applicable laws of the country in which your business is located, as well). Contact the Legal Department or Corporate or local Compliance Department before giving or offering any gift, meal or entertainment to a government official (or someone with a close personal or family relationship with a government official)—and also before you agree to receive a gift.
Executive officers, directors, and employees may not receive loans from or have obligations guaranteed by the company, except as expressly authorized by company policy.