Ethical Issues in Marketing Infant Formulas in Developing Countries

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Ethical Issues in Marketing Infant Formulas in Developing Countries

Particular ethical issues that should be considered in this case include health issues and the cost of the products. With regards to health issues, infant formulas have been associated with disease vulnerability among children in developing countries. The products have been considered as the major causes of serious infections and diarrhea among children in developing countries. Water contamination in developing countries is a serious concern that causes the spread of diseases. Most families in such countries use contaminated water due to environmental pollution (Singh, Daar & Singer, 2010). In most cases, formulas sold to the mothers in developing countries are of poor quality that has failed to meet the standards in developed countries. Multinational companies use such products to target consumers in the developing world. For example, cheap infant formulas sold in developing markets have been discovered to contain aflatoxin, salmonella, small pieces of broken glasses, and different categories of bacteria (Buchholz & Sandra, 2008).

Responsibility in the case of infant formulas should first stem from the companies that market such products. It is ethical for a business organization to produce products that are safe to the consumers and are of high quality. Companies should not use competitive pricing to take advantage of the consumers in such markets. Another area of responsibility should stem from the parents who buy the products for children. It is safe since the milk is highly nutritive compared to the formulas. Apart from the mothers, the governments in developing countries have the responsibility of ensuring that the activities of international companies are regulated (Berwick, et al. 2007).

Marketing principles for infant formulas in developing countries should be guided by the regulatory mechanisms in such countries. Moreover, health concerns and product quality should be used when developing and marketing infant formulas. Even though ethical issues have become a problem in marketing the products, various difficulties tend to interfere with the ethical requirements involved. One of the common ethical factors is that high-quality products attract higher prices, which are not affordable in developing countries.

Ethical complexities that are involved in marketing infant formulas in developing countries mainly emanate from the health conditions of the mothers. For instance, sick mothers or HIV-infected mothers may be restricted to breastfeed their children (Singh, Daar & Singer, 2010). Moreover, an organization may sell safe products to the consumers, but the environmental pollution of water sources may affect the effectiveness of the product mixture (Buchholz & Sandra, 2008).

Research and science have the role of identifying the appropriate methods, which can be used to eliminate contaminations from water sources and industrial processes that interfere with product safety. It can help the community in adopting safe practices, which can be applied when marketing and using infant formulas.

A parallel case that might raise similar problems is the initiative taken by most mothers in developing countries to dilute the formulas to extend its usage. The lack of reliable and stable income in developing countries is a factor associated with the low purchasing power of the consumers in such regions. Most parents cannot afford to buy the formulas regularly, hence forcing them to dilute the mixture. The situation might raise similar problems of marketing ethics since most organizations do not inform the consumers on how to mix the products (Buchholz & Sandra, 2008).

Role of Business in the Society

The business has an important role in society as envisaged in the principle of social responsibility. In this regard, it plays the role of promoting development in society (May, George & Juliet, 2007). The business promotes economic advancement by reducing unemployment. Companies in a country have to produce goods and services by using the labor force in the environment. The creation of employment also enables businesses to improve the living standards of the people. A business organization in one location can influence the activity of the people in the surrounding and other neighboring organizations, hence improving the economic activity of the country (Waddell, 2000).

Businesses also foster innovation and technological advancement in the community. Technology provides the opportunity for the people in society to access high-quality goods and services. Technology and innovation enable people in society to identify new business ideas and other sources of income. The business fosters social interaction and cooperation since individuals can interact and share ideas. It also promotes choice and specialization among people in a community. For instance, companies produce different varieties of products and services that attract consumers with different needs and wants. On the other hand, companies employ individuals who have different skills in different areas of business operation.

The role played by the government according to the social responsibility perspective is very important. The government has the responsibility of ensuring that business activities are regulated for the benefit of society. It has to ensure that the operations of an organization are in tandem with the environmental laws and regulations. The initiative promotes environmental sustainability and continuous growth in society. The government establishes regulations on the products produced by companies to prevent environmental pollution. The rules also promote social responsibility among businesses through taxation where businesses pay taxes for financing public operations (May, George & Juliet, 2007).

In other cases, the government may impose taxes to promote healthy living among consumers. For instance, products, such as alcohol and cigarettes, may attract taxes higher compared to food products. Taxation of such products enables the government to regulate the production and consumption among the consumers. It also fosters social responsibility by regulating the prices of commodities in the market. Regulatory activities in this case are mainly aimed at eliminating exploitation of the consumers and promoting competition among the companies. It also plays an important role in promoting social responsibility among business organizations (Zerk, 2006).

The Individual has a role in ensuring that there is a balance between the economic development and social elements in the society, which stem from the environment. At the individual level, a person should ensure that product usage promotes environmental conservation. Everyone in society must preserve the environment through the proper disposal of wastes. Social responsibility at the individual level also requires everyone to refrain from activities or behaviors, which may interfere with the social order in the society. For instance, an individual should promote proper utilization of the available natural resources in the environment to enhance conservation and sustainability of the business activities. Individuals have the responsibility of identifying sustainable business opportunities, which can be exploited for individual and societal benefit (Waddell, 2000).

References

Berwick, D. Hiatt, H. Janeway, P. Smith, R. (2007). An ethical code for everybody in health care.BMJ, 315(2)1633-1634.

Buchholz, R. & Sandra, R. (2008). Business Ethics: The pragmatic path beyond principles to process. Upper Saddle River NY: Prentice-Hall.

May, S. George, C. & Juliet, R. (2007). The debate over corporate social responsibility. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Singh, A.J. Daar, S. A. & Singer. A.P (2010). Shared principles of ethics for infant and young child nutrition in the developing world. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 1-6.

Waddell, S. (2000). New institutions for the practice of corporate citizenship: Historical Inter-sectoral and developmental perspectives. Business and Society Review, 105(3), 323345.

Zerk, J. A. (2006). Multinationals and corporate social responsibility: limitations and opportunities in international law. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

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