Rest of the answer
Request #1
From a quantitative standpoint, aggregate net revenues by PepsiCo and by the unconsolidated IDJ entity described above to Sudan and Syria were approximately [**] in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and approximately [**] for the first quarter of 20161, which for each period represented 0.03% or less of PepsiCo’s total net revenues. Total assets, consisting primarily of receivables, associated with these countries were approximately [**] at the end of 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and approximately [**] at the end of the first quarter of 2016, which for each period represented 0.003% or less of PepsiCo’s total assets. Total liabilities associated with these countries were approximately [**] at the end of 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and [**] at the end of the first quarter of 2016, which for each period represented 0.004% or less of PepsiCo’s total liabilities.
1 For the first quarter of 2016, PepsiCo’s results include the United States and Canada, which are reported on a twelve-week basis, and our international operations, the majority of which are reported on a monthly calendar basis and reflect results for the months of January and February (including results from Sudan and Syria).
PepsiCo, Inc. respectfully requests that the information contained in Request #1 be treated as confidential information and that the Commission provide timely notice to Cynthia A. Nastanski, Senior Vice President, Corporate Law & Deputy Corporate Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc., 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577, telephone 914-253-3271, before it permits any disclosure of the bracketed information contained in Request #1.
From a qualitative standpoint, we believe that it is important to recognize that we sell food, snacks and beverage items. In addition, we believe that our activities conform to all applicable laws and licensing regimes, including, where necessary, licenses issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, and it is PepsiCo’s policy to abide by the laws and regulations around the world that apply to our business. We value our investors and are sensitive to potential concerns among some investors regarding operations in Sudan and Syria, including the potential impact of activities upon our reputation and the value of our securities, and we will continue to monitor activities in these countries and investor sentiment, as we do on a routine basis. The U.S. regulatory regime permits the sale of food, snacks and beverages in Sudan and Syria, subject, in some cases, to licensing requirements. We believe that a reasonable investor would understand the difference between the sale of food, snack and beverage products which is permitted and the sale of equipment or arms that could be used to support terrorism or repression. Given the de minimis amount of net revenues, assets and liabilities into Sudan and Syria relative to PepsiCo’s total consolidated net revenues, assets and liabilities, our limited business connections in these countries, and the nature of the products sold in these countries, we do not believe that these business connections have or should have a material adverse impact on PepsiCo’s reputation or decisions with respect to an investment in PepsiCo’s securities.
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PepsiCo hereby acknowledges that: (i) PepsiCo is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and (iii) PepsiCo may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
If you require additional information or have any questions about this letter, please call me at (914) 253-3030.