Corporate Responsibility

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — American fans of Ikea’s Swedish meatballs can rest easy following clarification from the company regarding the origin of beef and pork found in meatballs sold at U.S. stores.

The head of the Grocery Manufacturers Association took exception this week to a new book which portrays consumers as hapless victims preyed upon by food industry giants that peddle addictive products.

In “Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us,” author Michael Moss paints an unflattering picture of food companies who pursue a win at all costs strategy by artfully manipulates salt, sugar and fat to addict and fatten consumer with disastrous results.

First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to visit a Walmart store in Springfield, Mo., this week as part of a nationwide tour to generate interest in her Let’s Move! children’s health initiative.

The stop at the Springfield Walmart is schedule for Thursday afternoon and follows appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show. The two day tour will showcase progress and announce new ways the country is coming together around the health of children.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Company is set to support the efforts of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through a multi-event fundraising campaign in 2013. Rose Paving will host a fundraising activity at industry trade shows and events across the country, giving registered attendees the opportunity to help support St. Jude’s mission to find cures for children with cancer and other deadly diseases through research and treatment.

Expenses related to Walmart’s ongoing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and related compliance matters will reach $200 million by the end of the first quarter, according to disclosures made Thursday in conjunction with the release of fourth quarter financial results.

In addition to the $99 million Walmart had spent on FCPA and compliance matters at the end of the third quarter, it spent another $58 million during the fourth quarter and said the first quarter could see expenses ranging from $40 million to $45 million.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Alexa Latimer Dillard, wife of Dillard's founder, the late William Dillard, has passed away.

Born in Nashville, Arkansas on Oct. 30, 1916, Alexa Latimer married William T. Dillard on June 9, 1940. Dillard was known for her quick wit and eye for great merchandise, but more importantly for her unmatched devotion to her family, according to the company. 

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's is continuing its partnership with TED, the nonprofit organization that provides a platform for innovative thinkers, with a donation of $1.5 million to continue its education-based opportunities for youth.

ATLANTA — Ingrid Saunders Jones, SVP global community connections for the Coca-Cola Company and chair of the Coca-Cola Foundation will retire after 30 years with the company, effective June 1. 

A well-respected global leader, Jones joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1982 and has held roles of increasing responsibility around the Company’s corporate giving and community outreach. She has served as Chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation since 1991.