Read the selection on the practice of corporate ethics by Ben & Jerry’s.

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The Business Ethics of Ben & Jerry’s

Ben and Jerry’s Homemade Holdings, Inc., is an American company that manufactures ice cream
products. Founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, Ben and Jerry’s
has grown into one of the most successful companies in the United States.
Ben and Jerry’s believes that companies should take corporate social responsibility seriously and
has retained its image as a socially responsible company. The company’s stand on ethics and
responsibility was clearly seen in the way it addressed an issue regarding one of its products- the
Coffee Health Bar Crunch. This particualr product was one of the most recognizable flavors of Ben and
Jerry’s ice cream. The emergence of the anti-GMO movement, however, has led the company to
review its ingredients and manufacturing processes.
The anti-GMO movement opposes the inclusion of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in the
products. GMOs are comprised of plants or animals whose geneti makeup has been altered to bring
about changes such as larger yield and greater resistance to pests for plants, or more meat for
animals. Supporters of this movement contend that the changes in the animals and plants may
produce unintended and harmful consequences on humans who consume the food products sourced
from GMOs. This concern prompted a number of states in the United States to pass laws which
require food companies to label their products that are made form GMOs or have ingredietns or
components taken form GMOs. Among these states was Vermont where Ben and Jerry’s has its
headquarters.
The company decided to support the GMO labeling law and put labels on its products that used
GMOs. Also, the company gradually removed ingredients that are sourced from GMOs in their ice
cream. Many of the ingredients used in making ice cream such as corn syrup and sugar are from GMO
sources. Additionally the milk used by the compnay is taken from cows that have been fed with
genetically modified corn. Ben and Jerry’s took this step risking negative comments from customers
who were not in favor of changes to their favorite ice cream flavors. The firm’s conversion to non-
GMO involved ingredient changes to fifty of its more popular flavors. By 2014, the company has
achieved total conversion to non-GMO ingredients and products.
Aside from GMOs, the company also commits itself to fair trade practices and sees to it that its
partners and suppliers comply with trade standards on labor and pricing. To achieve Fair Trade
Certification standards, the sugar, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, and bananas that Ben and Jerry’s uses should
come from farmers who receive fair prices or pay fair wages to their workers.
It was a hard transition period for Ben and Jerry’s to become fully non-GMO and fair trade
certified. However, it was not without purpose since it is one of their missions to uphold ethics in
their line of business.