A colleague of mine recently wrote about gutter oil being used illegally in the Taiwanese food supply. He had suggested the “extermination” of the companies involved by way of elaborate fines, mass boycotts, and in contradiction, not fining the company but detaining its executives and largest shareholders.

Gutter Oil. Source: china.org.cn

These methods would be largely detrimental to all stakeholders involved. These forms of essentially retribution will create a massive ripple effect, and affect a larger populace. Workers would be laid off, many companies that rely on the corporation and its subsidiaries will be forced to resource their supplies (whether they’re willing or unwilling).

The root of this scandal is likely much more isolated. It cannot be assumed that all executives and the largest shareholders, especially, were involved or even had knowledge of any illegal doings. Instead, an independent inquiry should be made, and only those responsible, those motivated by greed, possibly managers enumerated based on cost savings, should be held accountable.

While it is understandable that the writer of this blog (who holds a personal stake in the manner) is frustrated, it is important that appropriate measures are taken to ensure only those responsible are punished.