Food and Beverage

Over the last three presidential administrations, the United States government has granted Chiquita Brands International 20 special licenses to do business in Iran. (New York Times, "Companies with Permission to Bypass Sanctions," 12/24/10)

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"This license was one of many given to Chiquita Brands, the banana grower, authorizing it to sell its produce in Iran; the purchasers' names have all been redacted by OFAC. The company was also authorized to sell its products in Libya while that country was still under sanction by the United States." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"This license authorized Bruce Foods to export Louisiana Hot Sauce brand products under the agricultural exemption to the United States trade embargo against Iran. The products were to be exported to Hall Kish on Kish Island, Iran, and Javaheri Company in Tehran." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"Two sources said the increasing difficulties had prompted U.S. agribusiness company ADM (ADM.N) to halt trading with Iran since August. An ADM spokeswoman declined to comment." (Reuters, "Exclusive: Ships with one million tonnes of grain stuck outside Iran's ports in payment crisis," 10/2/2019).

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Over the last three presidential administrations, the United States government has granted Archer Daniels Midland Company 48 special licenses to do business in Iran. (New York Times, "Companies with Permission to Bypass Sanctions," 12/24/10)

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"After years of difficulty caused by economic sanctions, suppliers are hoping a nuclear deal will make it easier to win lucrative contracts to sell wheat, sugar and other food to Iran…Top global agribusiness groups such as Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland Co and others like Swiss commodities trader Glencore-Xstrata have been among the dominant players in Iran's food trade. Those three firms confirmed they sell agricultural products to Iran, and said the activity was in compliance with sanctions." (Reuters, "Food suppliers look to win Iran contracts after nuclear deal," 11/28/13)

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According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC for fiscal year 2012: "On or about July 25, 2012, an 80% owned and controlled affiliate of the Company hired a vessel to transport a cargo of grain.  The shipping arrangements and payment for $481,800 for the transportation were made directly with the charterer of the vessel. Neither the names of the vessel nor the charterer were listed on the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (“OFAC”) List of Specially Designated Nationals (the “SDN List”).  It was later determined by the Company and its bank that the vessel involved was beneficially owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), a sanctioned party.  The Company voluntarily disclosed the matter to OFAC.  The involvement of a sanctioned party was inadvertent and unintentional and we believe the result of a concerted effort by Iran to hide its ownership of the vessel.  Neither the Company nor its affiliate nor other of its subsidiaries have any intention of continuing such activity with a prohibited party. There was no profit that can be attributed to this specific transportation activity.  This disclosure is made pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction Act which requires that an issuer disclose in its annual or quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission if any of its affiliates engaged in an OFAC reportable transaction."

"This license authorized Archer Daniels Midland Company to fulfill a contractual obligation it had in connection with a 'string transaction.' Companies enter into such transactions when they sell goods on a commodities market. Often, they have no way of knowing where the goods will end up. In this case, Archer Daniels Midland found out that its goods were destined for Iran after it entered into the transaction, according to its application. OFAC said it generally grants licenses in this type of situation because failing to do so could bring American commodities trading to a halt." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"The American Pop Corn Company, which makes Jolly Time microwavable popcorn, received licenses to sell its product in Iran and the Sudan under a humanitarian exception for food and medical aid. Henry Lapidos, the company's food products export manager, said he had no problem selling to countries like these because it was good to 'show the American flag' by placing products like American Pop Corn's on supermarket shelves in places where anti-American sentiment runs strong. 'I don't see us supporting the ayatollahs. I don't think the Revolutionary Guard - that soliders would take microwavable popcorn in their backpacks when they go to war,' he said. Asked whether popcorn should be considered a humanitarian good eligible for export exceptions, Mr. Lapidos answered this way: 'Hairbrushes are not; iPods are not. But popcorn? It depends on how you look at it,' he said. 'Popcorn has fibers, which are helpful to the digestive system. So it could be considered humanitarian, though it's pushing the envelope.'" (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"Senator Christopher S. Bond, Republican of Missouri, wrote to OFAC in 2004 on this company's behalf, asking that it expedite its review. The company was seeking to export Vitamin and Mineral Premix and a volumetric feeder to the Ministry of Health in Iran and said it was under a 'strict time schedule to receive our license from OFAC or we will not be able to participate in this important project.' The license was issued the following month." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

Lists Farir Asa Teb as its distributor in Iran.

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Sweet'n Low lists an office in Tehran on its website.

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Sweet'n Low is owned by Cumberland Packing Corporation.

In its 2019 20-F Annual report Form, Brasil Foods reported: "In 2019, we won a tender process for a one-time contract to supply up to a maximum of 1,500 metric tons of agricultural commodities to a livestock product and feedstuff company in Iran, which we understand to be affiliated with the Government of Iran.  Sales consisted of 367.027 metric tons of frozen chicken.  This limited business was conducted by a non-U.S. affiliate of the Company. The turnover from these sales was €467,959.48, representing less than 0.006% of our global revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019.  Sales were pursuant to a single contract for the supply of agricultural commodities and are expected to continue pursuant to the terms of that contract until the maximum value of 1,500 metric tons of frozen chicken is reached."

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In its 2009 20-F Annual Report Form, Brasil Foods reports that its subsidiary Sadia is company registered in Iran:

 “In 2009, we entered into a business combination with Sadia, and Sadia became our wholly-owned subsidiary.

The Sadia trademark is registered in more than 90 countries in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Latin America, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and Oman.” (SEC, 2010 20-F Annual Report Form) 

“The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is a multi-industry, capital goods manufacturer with over 100 manufacturing and service facilities in 27 countries. It is recognized as one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes, tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. Manitowoc also is one of the world's leading innovators and manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment serving the ice, beverage, refrigeration, food prep, and cooking needs of restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, institutions, and healthcare facilities” (The Wall Street Journal, "The Manitowoc Company to Participate in J.P. Morgan Diversified Industries Conference,"June 1 2010).

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The company also describes itself as "a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the U.S. maritime industry" (Company website).

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Convotherm, a foodservice manufacturer and subsidiary of Manitowac, lists a contact person for sales in Iran on its website. (Subsidiary website)

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Scotsman Ice, a leading global ice manufacturer, is a subsidiary of Enodis, a foodmaking equipment company and subsidiary of the Manitowoc Company.  On the company’s website, Scotsman lists three distributors in Tehran. (Subsidiary website)

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Bio Enzyme Persia, an authorized distributor of medical and laboratory equipment in Tehran, features the Scotsman logo on its website. (Iranian Dealer website)

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In a 2002 press release, Manitowoc stated its plan to create a customer focused sales area in the Middle East, including Iran in the list of countries: “The Middle East (Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, as well as Turkey for tower cranes), which will be managed, by David Semple for the tower crane line and by Hamid Summers for both mobile and crawler cranes, from Dubai” (Manitowoc Press Release, "Manitowoc Crane Group announces new organization structure for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region," February 28, 2002).

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Manitowoc Crane Group followed up its announced sales plan for the Middle East market with a regional distributors' conference in 2005. "Manitowoc Crane Group staged its first Middle East regional distributors’ conference in November 2005, at the Oasis Beach Hotel, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event was an opportunity for Manitowoc Crane Group to meet with its local Grove dealers and discuss the fast-growing Middle East market.

"The conference included representatives from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq with companies such as Kanoo Machinery, Equipment Company, Orascom Trading, ETCO, Tolitech, Arabian Crane Services, Mannai Trading, and Boranex all sending delegates" (Manitowoc Crane Group News Release, "Middle East Meeting for Grove Dealers," January 6, 2006).

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One of the companies represented at the conference, Toli Tech, is an Iranian construction company with an office in Tehran (Iranian Company Information).

Danone Iran has its own website.

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"Paris-listed Groupe Danone S.A., for example, has a long-standing joint venture that produces Damavand mineral water, Iran’s biggest bottled water brand. Danone increased its stake in that venture to 70% from 40% in 2010. Danone didn’t respond to a request for comment." (WSJ, "Western Companies See Potential in Reaching Iran's Consumers After Nuclear Deal," 4/6/2015)

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Danone's lists three Iranian subsidiaries on its website: Danone Sahar, Damavand, and Mashad Milk Powder Industries Company.  (Company Website - Iran)

In a correspondance with the SEC in 2009, GNC disclosed details of their business in Iran. 

"The Company advises the Staff that there are no GNC stores in Iran and that GNC has no past, current or anticipated contacts with Iran other than with Kharazmi Pharmaceutical Co. (“KPC”). On October 17, 2008, GNC obtained the required OFAC license (OFAC license no. IA-10892) to export certain GNC products to Iran, and entered into a distribution agreement with KPC with a term that matches the one year term of the OFAC license. GNC does not have direct operational contact with KPC under the distribution agreement; rather, GNC works through Canmed Enterprises Corp (“Canmed”), KPC’s affiliate." (CORRESP for GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS INC, 10/14/2009)