Fahad Fast Food LLC (FFF) FFF has been a fast expanding company in GCC for the last ten years. While FFF seems to offering low-cost and hygienic food to its customers but there are some undesirable facets of their fast food business. FFF endorses a very positive image for its offered products but many reports highlights that its products are made with ingredients which are not suitable for its customers such as oils, spices and sauces. The unethical practices of this company are well known but that does not seem to stop its customers from eating its products.

FFF on the other hand claims that it is dedicated to the well-being of their customers. However, while the overall image of FFF is that of a wholesome, family oriented business, there are conflicts to this image also. Most of the products offered by FFF contribute to health risk such as it causes overweight, heart disease, asthma, and many more diseases. Medical researchers have pointed out that fast food offered by FFF or similar companies contain chemicals, which make people addict to the taste of fast food. Environmentally, FFF practices are also questionable as there are doubts over the quality of sources of its meat for fried chickens, Pizzas, burgers, ingredients used in theirs products and the potatoes for its French fries.

It is also noted that many people especially young children are leaving their traditional foods for fast food offered by FFF and similar companies. In addition, FFF is also facing condemnation in other GCC countries after a number of its popular apple patties were found to contain a banned food-coloring agent, while FFF has claimed that the substance are not harmful for the customers.

Apart from the quality and health issues cause by its products, the company also has problems with its employees. The organization pays minimum wage to its workers, who basically do assembly line, factory-type work. There are an increasing number of people who speak out against FFF and similar corporations. Many critics observe that FFF prices its products very high initially and then deceives people by offering promotions in shape of ordering a super-sized meal.

Conclusion Over the past ten years, FFF has been transformed from a local fast food outlet into a huge corporation using mass production methods to produce and sell their products. There are many things that might be done to address the ethical problems raised by the behavior of large 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 FFF practices and their impact on health, environmental pollution and culture change, we can choose to not patronize such businesses. The action may not shut the FFF down, but it might limit impact of its harmful products on the people and the society at large.

Reference: Adapted and customised, Gibson A. McDonalds: A Good Image with Bad Ethics available at httpciteseerx.ist.psu.eduviewdocdownloaddoi=10.1.1.531.1092&rep=rep1&type=pdf accessed on 23.04.2020

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10. What ethical and legal issues are involved in this case of FFF? In your opinion, do you think FFF is a socially responsible company? Justify your answer.

11. In Oman which organization is responsible for taking up consumer related cases? In this case if legal proceeding are initiated against company by consumer who fell sick after using any product of company and you are the judge what will be your decision. Justify your answer.