Going an ethical way!!

"If it is not right, then don't do it; If it is not true, then don't say it" 

This quote by US journalist John Byrne makes us to think on ethical part of fast food industry as well. Given that most fast food choices are unhealthy ones, it led me to question whether fast food companies are being ethical in offering the products that they do. If you ask these companies about their product, the answer is always diplomatic one that product is legal. However, ethical claims differ from claims about what is legal or illegal. The act that is legal cannot be necessarily ethical as well. Similarly, fast food companies, boasting about being legal by providing legal product, does not necessarily mean that they are ethical.

I do not believe that fast food companies are immoral just because they do not act in a paternalistic fashion towards their customers. Consumers have the choice to avoid these products, consume them in moderation, or eat them everyday. The key to me is that each company provides adequate disclosure regarding its products so that consumers can make reasoned decisions. Although it was not always easy to find, each of the nine fast food restaurants I attended have websites that disclose nutritional information about their food items. As well, two of the companies, Burger King and Wendy’s, actually had large, nutritional charts readily visible in their restaurants. Given that consumers have access to this information, I do not believe that there is anything morally wrong with these companies selling fast food.

what it says, what if offers

One could take issue with the fact that many of these companies market their products to children. Mascots such as Ronald McDonald, the Burger King, and Jack from Jack in the Box are essentially modified cartoon characters that hock fast food to kids. As well, most of these restaurants also promote meals especially designed for children that include toys. While these actions are arguably questionable, parents ultimately control whether and what children eat at these restaurants. They should be able to assess these products regardless of the advertising hype and act accordingly.

There are many things that might be done to address the ethical problems raised by the behavior of multinational corporations: laws, legal action and public pressure arising from activists. In the end, public awareness might be the most important tool. If individuals are enlightened about fast food companies' practices and their impact on health, environmental pollution and culture change.