Page 111 - Bus101FlipBook

CH 6] Business 101 6-29

are on food products outline a products ingredient and nutritional values; these
package labels are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which went
into effect in 1994. The labels are uniform in construction which aids in comparison.
The labels give consumers information about nutritional content and serve as a 6
warning to limit health claims that could be made. Financial lenders inform borrowers
of all the costs involved in a loan and the repayment terms associated with the loan.
Manufacturers inform consumers on the proper use of their products and alert them to
any limitations associated with their product (i.e. A chair weight capacity of 250
pounds).
Right to choose. Many companies enter the marketplace to provide a variety of
competing products of comparable use at competitive prices. The consumer expects
quality service at a fair price. With the increase in nutritional value, consumers
growingly demanding pesticide-free foods. This has resulted in farmers growing fruits Do not bear false
and vegetables organically, and certifying that the product is organic compliant. witness against your
Farmers will experiment with different methods of crop rotations, utilizing natural pest neighbor.
control methods and genetic engineering through cross-breeding and hybridization. —Exodus 20:16
Organic foods such as fruits and vegetables come at a higher cost to produce, as their
yield (supply) is less than the same food raised under different scientific conditions,
and this higher cost is passed onto the consumer.
Right to be heard. A number of large firms have established consumer affairs
departments to address consumer concerns, which find their opinions into developing
governmental policies. Many, including General Electric (appliances), Ford Motor
Company (automotive), Nabisco (food), Smith Kline Beecham (toothpaste and other
personal care products), Mattel (toys), provide toll-free telephone numbers as an easy
way for consumers to ask questions, make suggestions, provide use commentary and
register concerns and complaints. Can the small businessman afford the expense of
hiring special personnel and establishing “toll free hot-lines”? The small business can
train employees to invite customer response, answer questions knowledgably and
handle complaints.

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