It is evident that Top Foods has continued to advance in the development as well as the growth in revenue to hundreds of millions since it was founded. Recently, the company launched the Italian specialty soups, which have contributed exclusively to the growing revenue of the company. Although other products have been distributed through the brokers, the soup is being distributed through grocery stores. The company is currently is producing approximately 3000 cases per month. Over the past six months, the soup specialty has taken control of approximately 15% of the total sales of the company.
However, the extensive performance is under challenge following link to some health issues discovered among the consumers. According to a report given by Dr. William Harris the commissioner to Michigan’s Department of Public Health, the soup by Top Foods has been considered a tentative contribution to the death of 26 people in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. As a result, several County Departments of Public Health in Ohio and Indiana have been involved in the investigations regarding the deaths with the Top Foods’ Soup being considered as a tentatively major contributor to the problem.
The soup was linked to the deaths following the serious illness of fourteen people who claimed to have consumed cans of Top Foods soups. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the issue following the concern over the additional 3 deaths in Michigan, 12 patients admitted in Detroit area hospitals linked to Top Foods soups. There are suspicions that there may be deadly bacterium in the batches of minestrone soup. Health inspectors are expected to carry out inspection in the Detroit plant in the next 2 days.
Top Foods’ Public Relations Department has been in communication with Midwest hospitals concerning the situation. The company has contacted Taylor and Reynolds law firm based in Chicago which is specialized in product liability. Currently, there are approximately 10,500 cans of the minestrone soup on grocery store shelves and at the homes of the consumers.
Analysis
One of the major values for Top Foods is to protect the consumer by ensuring they get the products of the best quality. It is true the company has been keen on the health of the consumers be ensuring it produces safe and healthy food products for the consumer. It is unfortunate that the issue has struck the company when the sale of the soup as well as the profit has been in a rise. The most significant asset of the company ‘the customer’ has been affected and the issue has to be handled with the seriousness that goes with it.
The spread of the illnesses and deaths in different cities and states is a cause for alarm. There are numerous opportunities that the concern on the product may be spread in the entire market where the Top Foods company operates. The intervention of the FDA is an assurance for the consumer that the soup may be dangerous for human consumption. FDA will not allow the trade of the product unless extensive measures are taken to reassure the consumers of their safety upon consumption of the Top Foods products. Therefore, there must be critical measures to be implemented to save the consumers form the dangers that may come with the consumption of the soup or ay Top Foods’ product.
Another major concern for the company is its development or growth in terms of customers and revenue. However, the situation seems to change with the effects of the infectious soup that the company is allegedly selling to its customers. The 15% portion of the sales contributed by the soup since it s introduction is likely to haunt the rest 85% of the sales if it is not monitored accordingly. There are chances that the income of the company would reduce if the cases continued. As such, the company will incur losses since no consumers will be ready to risk their lives in consuming the products if no verification for safety in human consumption.
The requirement by the Public Health Commissioner to have extensive research on the Company’s products would serve a major purpose in repainting the name of the company. It would also be helpful to the company in deciding the changes that it ought to implement to reassure the customers of the safety of the products. Under the FDA, extensive analysis will be done on the products, which is excellent as it will help in the enhancement of the quality of the products of the company.
Recommendations
Issue a press release
The company needs to alert its consumers regarding the allegations on its products. As a company concerned of the wellbeing of the citizens, the consumers must be told the facts and be advised to stop consuming the soup that they had purchased until the investigations are complete.
Withdraw all the products from the shelves at the retail points
All the products in the shelves should be returned to the company to help in the tests against harmful bacteria. The company should organize on how to have the products back to its stores.
Hire food poisoning professionals to identify the problems
The company needs to have a team of professionals in food poisoning who will work with the team given by the health department and FDA to verify the inclusion of some elements of the soup in the poisoning of the victims. The team will work independently to help in the verification of the report that the FDA and health departments will give.
Discuss the report of the hired poison testing professionals with the hired lawyers
The discussion will help the lawyers in identifying the elements of the case and advice the company on the way forward regarding the link to the death of the customers.
Implement the changes and the advices recommended by the reports given by the FDA as well as the health departments
The implementation will be an assurance for improvement and enhancement of trust on the products by the consumers. The reports will help in guiding the company in future production and ventures.
Stockholder Concerns:
Customers
The customers being among the most important in the company will be assured of the safety of the products. The customers will be ready to consume the products, which are assured in safety and value to their bodies.
The health department and the FDA
The health of the consumer is a major concern for the health departments as well as the FDA. They regulate the products that are sold to the public and advise the consumers on the safety of certain products.
Retailers and distributors
They help in ensuring the products reach the customers at the right time and in the required quality. Information regarding the continuation of the supplies and distribution of the products would encourage the suppliers and distributors in their business activities.
