"On World Food Day, Seven Food & Beverage Giants Commit to Publicly Disclose Global Water Risks", 16 October 2015

Recognizing the growing threat that water risks pose to global food supplies, more than a half-dozen major food and beverage companies, including Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS), Hain Celestial (HAIN), Hormel Foods Corp. (HRL), Kraft Heinz Co. (KHC), Pinnacle Foods (PF), Tyson Foods (TSN), and WhiteWave Foods (WWAV), have agreed to publicly disclose information on how they are assessing and managing those risks.

The companies’ pledges are in response to letters sent in August by a group of 60 investors collectively managing $2.6 trillion in assets urging the companies to disclose how they are analyzing and managing water risks, such as drought and increased competition for freshwater supplies in major growing regions. Specifically, the companies have agreed to report to the 2016 CDP [Carbon Disclosure Project] Water Questionnaire on their water risks and strategies and progress for mitigating such risks, across their value chains and operations...

The seven companies pledging stronger disclosure were among 15 that received letters this summer from the investors, based on their relatively low water management risk scores in a recent Ceres’ report, Feeding Ourselves Thirsty: How the Food Sector is Managing Global Water Risks... 

Another five companies that received the letter are discussing their proposed risk assessment and response with key executives during upcoming Board meetings this fall, and have promised prompt responses to investors. Three, Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST), Flowers Food (FLO) and Fresh Del Monte Produce (FDP) have not responded at all...