Subject: Business & Management Integrals
Assessment #3:
Practice of corporate ethics by Ben & Jerry’s
1) What ethical issue did Ben and Jerry’s face regarding its products?
The ethical issue that Ben and Jerry’s company faced was when some of its
products such as the Coffee Health Bar Crunch were found to contain
ingredients that were sourced from Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs). GMOs are plants and animals whose genetic design were changed
in order to bring out the desired benefit from them. Such changes on those
organisms can possibly bring harm to humans when consumed—which is
very unethical.
2) How did Ben and Jerry’s address the need for transition from the use of GMO
ingredients in its ice cream?
As a company whose mission is to honor ethics and responsibility, Ben and
Jerry’s removed all “ingredients that are sourced from GMOs in their ice
cream” products. Starting from the corn syrup ingredients they used up to
the cow animals that served as their source of milk were inspected and were
changed when GMOs are found. The transition from GMO to non-GMO ice
cream products had affected its demands and profit but honor and ethics is
above important for the company.
3) What steps did Ben and Jerry’s take to comply with fair trade practice?
To become a fair trade certified company, Ben and Jerry’s were keen when
choosing their external partners such as suppliers, marketing intermediaries,
and sources. First, they made sure that all its “partners and suppliers comply
with trade standards on labor and pricing”. Second, they see to it that all the
organic ingredients being used such as coffee, banana and cocoa would
come from “farmers who receive fair prices or pay fair wages to their
workers.”
4) Do you believe that the changes implemented by Ben and Jerry’s was worth the
potential losses and costs? Why do you think so?
Assessment #3:
Practice of corporate ethics by Ben & Jerry’s
1) What ethical issue did Ben and Jerry’s face regarding its products?
The ethical issue that Ben and Jerry’s company faced was when some of its
products such as the Coffee Health Bar Crunch were found to contain
ingredients that were sourced from Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs). GMOs are plants and animals whose genetic design were changed
in order to bring out the desired benefit from them. Such changes on those
organisms can possibly bring harm to humans when consumed—which is
very unethical.
2) How did Ben and Jerry’s address the need for transition from the use of GMO
ingredients in its ice cream?
As a company whose mission is to honor ethics and responsibility, Ben and
Jerry’s removed all “ingredients that are sourced from GMOs in their ice
cream” products. Starting from the corn syrup ingredients they used up to
the cow animals that served as their source of milk were inspected and were
changed when GMOs are found. The transition from GMO to non-GMO ice
cream products had affected its demands and profit but honor and ethics is
above important for the company.
3) What steps did Ben and Jerry’s take to comply with fair trade practice?
To become a fair trade certified company, Ben and Jerry’s were keen when
choosing their external partners such as suppliers, marketing intermediaries,
and sources. First, they made sure that all its “partners and suppliers comply
with trade standards on labor and pricing”. Second, they see to it that all the
organic ingredients being used such as coffee, banana and cocoa would
come from “farmers who receive fair prices or pay fair wages to their
workers.”
4) Do you believe that the changes implemented by Ben and Jerry’s was worth the
potential losses and costs? Why do you think so?
