Corporate Responsibility

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores reported in a regulatory filing that its investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a federal antibribery law, has extended beyond Mexico to China, India and Brazil.  

CINCINNATI — P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program has won the 2012 Economist Social Innovation Award.

“As a Company, we are both honored by the recognition and inspired by our employees and global partners who have worked to deliver more than 5 billion liters of clean drinking water to families in developing countries, helping save nearly 30,000 lives,” said P&G CEO, president and chairman of the board, Bob McDonald.

Portland, Ore. -- The city council of Portland, Ore., voted to expand the city's one-year old plastic bag ban, voting 5-0 to phase out plastic checkout bags at an estimated 5,000 restaurants and retailers.

The ban will impact retailers larger than 10,000 -sq.-ft. on March 1, 2013, and the remaining retailers on October 1, 2013. Portland's 2011 rule affected fewer than 200 businesses.

Retailers will still be able to provide plastic bags for bulk items, produce, meats, dry cleaning and prescription drugs.

Some of the biggest names in the retail and consumer packaged goods industry were recognized by the American Cancer Society with 2012 Excellence in Philanthropy Awards.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel’s board of directors has named CEO Bryan G. Stockton, 59, as chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The current chairman, Robert A. Eckert, 58, informed the board of his decision to retire from his service as director and chairman of the board, effective Dec. 31. Stockton will continue to function as CEO, a position he’s held since Jan. 2012.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu on Friday said it would implement a pay freeze for all employees at its corporate headquarters and said it would also reduce or suspend matching contributions to workers’ 401(k) plans, effective next year.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Nestle Waters North America has named Tim Brown as its new president and CEO. Brown replaces current Nestle Waters North America president and CEO Kim Jeffery, who plans to assume a non-executive chairman position effective Feb. 1, 2013.

Walmart had as much to say about an ongoing and expanding investigation into alleged violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in its third quarter filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission as it did about its actual financial results.