The Public Affairs Committee was established effective February 2008. The board has determined that all of the Public Affairs Committee members are independent within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards. The committee is responsible for discharging the board’s responsibilities relating to public policy issues. The Public Affairs Committee met four times in 2009.

The committee oversees Kraft Foods' attention to public policy and social trends affecting Kraft Foods; social accountability; business practices of special interest to policy-makers and the public at large; Kraft Foods’ global communication, media relations and community relations; Kraft Foods' Political Action Committee; the impact of business operations and business practices on communities where Kraft Foods does business; Kraft Foods' corporate citizenship programs and activities, including charitable contributions; and shareholder proposals related to public issues.

Its specific responsibilities are set forth in Public Affairs Committee Charter (PDF).