We're two for two.

Kellogg has earned a spot on the Ethisphere Institute's second-annual list of the "World's Most Ethical Companies." We were also recognized on last year's inaugural edition of the elite ranking.

"We are honored to be recognized by Ethisphere once again for our steadfast commitment to ethics and social responsibility," says Neil Nyberg, vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer. "Our founder, W.K. Kellogg, built our company on a foundation of integrity and respect, and our people are dedicated to continuing this legacy by living these values each and every day."

Neil represented Kellogg recently when this year's honorees were announced during a special awards dinner in New York. The "Most Ethical" list is also featured in the current issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

The Ethisphere Institute's executive director, Alexander Brigham, says Kellogg made the list for a second consecutive time because we have developed impressive and meaningful ethical business practices - making us a true standout within our industry.

"They go well beyond legal minimums," Bingham says, "opting instead to bring about innovative ideas that contribute to the public well being. By their actions, they are forcing their competitors to follow suit or fall behind - truly embodying the notion that ethical business practices are more profitable in the long run."

More than 10,000 of the world's leading companies on six continents were reviewed as part of the institute's extensive research and selection process for this year's "Most Ethical" list. Nominations for inclusion on the list were submitted by companies' senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.

Ethisphere analysts then examined each nominee's code of ethics and their litigation and regulatory infraction histories, as well as evaluated investment in innovation and sustainable business practices.

They also looked at the companies' activities to improve corporate citizenship and worked with consumer action groups for feedback and ratings.

The Ethisphere Institute - along with its associated membership group, the Ethisphere Council - is supported by more than 100 institutions and corporations. It's dedicated to the research, creation and sharing of best practices in ethics, compliance and corporate governance among its membership companies.

In March, Kellogg was also honored by Ethisphere for having one of the best overall ethics programs among the top 1,000 companies that do business with the U.S. government. We were included among an elite group of 35 government contractors whose ethics programs are rated as "excellent" or "above standard" by the institute.