Innovate Boldly
We courageously strive for breakthrough innovations driven by our relentless curiosity, bold thinking, speed of decision-making, and agile execution.
Intellectual Property and Company Assets
We safeguard our company’s intellectual property and other company assets, and we use company resources responsibly.
What is a company asset?
We believe that our growth and innovation depend on a company culture that values and promotes diversity and inclusion. Diversity of thought, perspectives, background, and experiences is essential to the company’s long-term success. We:
Information assets
Any data relating to our products, business, or how we conduct our operations, regardless of how it is created, distributed, used, or stored.
Financial assets
Money and anything that can be converted into money, such as stocks, bonds, and bank deposits.
Physical assets
Anything tangible the company owns that is used to conduct our business (e.g., facilities, machinery, tools, computers, mobile phones, raw materials, vehicles, office equipment, and supplies).
Intangible assets
Our reputation, ideas, inventions, intellectual property, designs, copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.
Work product
Your work product belongs to Ingredion if it is created or developed— in whole or in part—on company time, as part of your duties, or using company resources or information.
Living our values
Our company assets are extremely valuable. They drive innovation, protect our company’s reputation, and support us in delivering superior products, services, and solutions. We safeguard and use our company’s assets responsibly by:
- Properly securing physical assets and following all security procedures applicable to our jobs
- Properly securing computers, laptops, and other electronic devices
- Following Ingredion Brand Guidelines and seeking appropriate approval prior to releasing Ingredionbranded communications
- Properly securing company confdential information and never disclosing confdential information to anyone outside the company unless we have explicit approval (e.g., the information is covered by a non-disclosure agreement)
- Securing and not deleting any files, documents, or other information that may be needed for pending or anticipated litigation, investigation, or audit.
Email, Internet, and Information Systems
We use company email, internet access, and other information systems responsibly and protect the security of our information systems.
Our Value in Action
Q: I used my company-issued computer to download free software that I can use in my work.
A: Never install applications or software onto devices—company owned or otherwise— that could undermine the security of Ingredion’s information technology assets. Installing applications directly can introduce viruses or other rogue programs into the company network that can cause damage. In addition, do not click links in emails from unknown sources, as you may be permitting entry of potentially harmful code to the company’s network unwittingly.
Living our Values
The company’s email, internet access, and information systems are vital tools that are necessary for innovating boldly. Employees must exercise good judgment in using the company’s systems:
- Do not use company information systems to reproduce, display, distribute, or store materials that violate anyone else’s trademark, copyright, licensing, or other intellectual property rights
- Take reasonable precautions to safeguard company devices, such as laptops, by not leaving them unattended while traveling or in exposed locations where they can be stolen
- Report a suspected data breach, or any situation in which you believe data has or may have been compromised, including the loss or theft of a laptop or mobile device, to the IT Service Desk immediately.
- Never download unauthorized or unlicensed software onto Ingredion computers or mobile devices
- Make only reasonable, incidental personal use of company equipment and systems
- Do not use company resources, email, and internet access to ofend, harass or threaten others or to access, send, or store illegal or ofensive material
- Take appropriate steps to use strong passwords and to protect passwords
- Grant access only to authorized individuals and only for as long as needed
Reporting Concerns
Your voice matters. Each of us is responsible for building and protecting Ingredion’s culture of integrity. A suspected violation of this Code of Conduct, company policy, or violation of law could be a serious matter. We expect everyone to speak up about any potential violations.
The company does not tolerate retaliation against those who speak up in good faith or participate in investigations. If you have a question about this Code or if you are concerned about a potential violation, you have a number of options:
- discuss the issue with your manager;
- discuss the issue with another manager;
- contact the Human Resources, Legal, or Regional or Business Integrity department; and
- use the Business Ethics Line, to report concerns or ask questions (anonymously, if you wish) in your language.
Go to our Ingredion Ethics Website to contact the Business Ethics Line via the internet or to look up toll-free numbers by country on Ingredion’s InSite intranet site. The site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Question or Concern?
If you suspect a possible violation of Our Code of Conduct, we encourage you to speak up and report it on the Ingredion Business Ethics line at our INGRethics.com.
Go to the next section:
Care First | Be Preferred | Everyone Belongs | Innovate Boldly | Owner's Mindset | Ethical Standards
Go to a specific section:
Care First: Environmental, Health, and Food Safety | Human Rights | Sustainability | Privacy | Anti-Bribery | Report Concern
Be Preferred: Competing Fairly |Gifts and Entertainment | Conflicts of Interest | Political Activity | International Trade Compliance | Report Concern
Everyone Belongs: Diversity & Inclusion | Harassment & Discrimination | Anti-Violence & Intimidation | Report Concern
Innovate Boldly: Intellectual Property & Company Assets | Email & Internet Information Systems | Report Concern
Owners Mindset: Accuracy of Books & Records | External Communication & Social Media | Confidential Information | Report Concern
Ethical Standards: Living our Values | Compliance with policies | Business Integrity | Report Concern