In early November, sparking a full blown crisis response, a video surfaced from a group called Mercy for Animals, showing workers at a Sparboe Farms hatchery abusing animals. The video was announced by ABC news. The FDA is investigating. As a result of the controversy, McDonald’s has dropped the supplier. Target has also dropped the supplier.
The company launched a full on investigation, has fired the staff, and is working to recuperate its reputation. A Quote from the President on their website says:
“Regrettably, these incidents should never have happened in the first place—but they did and we accept that responsibility. We were not as vigilant as we should have been…”
The company, on its website, indicates that it is “strongly committed to egg safety” and that “nobody does more for our animal’s care and welfare than we do.” The company posts an Animal Care Code of Conduct on its website. The response by the company has included hiring 3rd party auditors, identifying the individuals in the video and dismissing them, reinforcing animal welfare policies, interventions with managers and staff, and a host of other responses, including dealing with the FDA investigation.
The cost and consequences are substantial when a major incident like this occurs. In many “status quo” production situations it is easy to become a little lax in oversight exposing firms to big operational risks.