Milk bribes uncovered in Chinese hospitals

The sad truth is that some imports are going to carry with them airs of suspicion, regardless of the efforts taken to improve products. Back in 2008, the presence of the dangerous additive melamine in Chinese milk products grabbed headlines and even resulted in executions of two of the individuals responsible in that country.

While it doesn’t seem nearly on the level of that infamous case, Reuters reports that the Chinese powdered milk industry is still experiencing difficulties with corruption, this time with outside brands fraudulently increasing their presence within the country through bribes. The chief culprit appears to be Danone, a French company.

According to the source, recent events have seen medical professionals recommending Danone’s milk brands to new mothers for their babies in exchange for money. In addition, the Wall Street Journal reports that more than 80 medical centers in the country have been found to have taken part in this particular practice.

As a sign that corruption still exists within milk companies in that nation, it’s unlikely this scandal will affirm faith in those still suspicious. And yet, even in an area as beset with woes and bad practices as this, food labels can help to communicate a sense of accountability, safety and justice if handled correctly.

While you obviously wouldn’t address corruption on labels, a company might use this as a moment to brainstorm about which images to display that might promote customer faith, and perhaps include a brief official statement on a package communicating honesty from the source.

However producers think to mitigate a crisis, it’s worth remembering that incidents can accumulate in a consumer’s mind if not addressed. Making labels should be an exercise in honesty and a way to speak clearly about these issues in a productive way.