Page 418 - Introduction to Business

392 PART 4 Accounting

Case in Point

McDonald’s Works to Improve Health

After considering health concerns count remains the same, 540 in a large order of
regarding cooking oil, McDonald’s indi- fries.
cated that it would remove about 48 Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the
percent of trans fatty acids (TFAs) from most fried Center for Science in the Public Interest, said that this
foods as part of its worldwide movement to get rid of was a good step forward toward reducing the artery-
TFAs in cooking oil. McDonald’s maintains this clogging fat in fried foods and helping Americans to
change won’t alter the taste of the foods. In coopera- reduce their risk of heart disease.
tion with long-time oil supplier Cargill, McDonald’s The cooking oil change may have an impact on
said it has come up with a better cooking oil that is the fast-food industry, which has been slow to dis-
much lighter on TFA levels while cutting saturated fat cover nutritious alternatives that people really want
by 16 percent. This increases polyunsaturated fat, the to eat. While fast-food chains have tested low-fat and
good fat, by 167 percent, according to the company. even fat-free versions of their products, slow sales
TFAs are found in hydrogenated or partly hydro- bumped them off permanent menus.
genated vegetable oils, those that are solidified to
Source: Jennifer Waters, “McDonald’s Loses ‘Bad’ Fat in
form margarine or shortenings. The typical shopper Fries,”CBS.MarketWatch.com, September 3, 2002.
is hard pressed to avoid them. Trans fats are found
in almost all processed foods and baked goods.
Questions
McDonald’s U.S. restaurants began cooking with the
new-formula oil in 2002, with non-U.S. restaurants 1. Altering restaurant operations, such as changing
following suit in 2003. In addition to fries, McDon- cooking oil, is a costly undertaking. Do you think
ald’s will deep-fry Chicken McNuggets, Filet-O-Fish, the decision to change cooking oil will lead to
hash browns, and crispy chicken sandwiches in the higher or lower profits?
oil. Overall, the fat-gram level will stay the same at 2. Was the decision the correct ethical decision,
26 grams for a large order of fries. The calorie regardless of the effect on corporate profits?

The universities are responding with an increased emphasis on ethical training for deci-
sion making. For the most part, however, they ignore the teaching of values. For moral
or ethical education to have meaning, there must be agreement on the values that are
considered “right.” 3
In Chapter 1 of Ethical Issues in the Practice of Accounting, Michael Josephson
listed the Ten Universal Values. They were
Honesty Caring
Integrity Respect for others
Promisekeeping Responsible citizenship
Fidelity Pursuit of excellence
Fairness Accountability 4

Can Ethics Be Taught?
People sometimes ask, Can ethics be taught? At some point in life, ethics must be
taught. People are not born with innate desires to be ethical or to be concerned
with the welfare of others. The role of the family embraces teaching children a code
of ethical behavior that includes respect for parents, siblings, and others. The fam-
ily bears the chief responsibility for ensuring that children will receive the neces-
sary education and moral guidance to become productive members of society. The
basic values such as honesty, self-control, concern for others, respect for legitimate

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