Economists often say that “profit is the main incentive of action.” Basically some companies use pernicious chemical to save cost, while totally neglecting the fundamental business ethic. They are actually killing their future descendants by poisons produced by themselves!
The sad history in 2008 is still alarming, when six babies died from tainted milk powder in China. That is probably why China has stopped importing of milk powders from New Zealand and Australia due to the bacteria that causes botulism in products, as it is said in the article above. With proper supervision, I believe this kind of violation of business ethic will gradually be reduced and regulated.
Even if the profit a company earn is a big deal, companies should never sacrifice its stakeholder’s (including consumers,employers, board of director, shareholder,etc) interest for that so-called profit. Take the “poisonous milk powder” produced by Sanlu Group for example, what did the Sanlu Group end up with? Bandruptcy and terrible reputation, unemployment of workers and so on. More importantly, this company will always be taken as the culprit who harmed or took away thousands of innocent babies’ lives!
As Milton Friedman stated:”the only social responsibility of business is to earn profits while following the law and basic ethical customs.” As people’s sense of business ethics are enhanced, hopefully there will not be any Sanlu Group or Fonterra Group any more. As long as every company has and obeys the basic business ethic, our future children’s life won’t be a concern.
Reference:
Emma Lacey-Bordeaux (August 5, 2013) China halts import of New Zealand milk powder because of botulism bacteria [online]. Available from: http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/04/world/asia/china-botulism-milk-powder/ [Accessed 10 September 2014]
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