Lindbergh Family Farms

Lindbergh Family Farms

Introduction

This paper aims to discuss a news case study about Lindbergh Family Farms and the presence of Arsenic in their rice product that was published in The NY Times. According to World Health Organization-WHO, Arsenic is a metalloid element that contributes in the formation of various other poisonous compounds. Found majorly in the earth's crust because of which it has high traces in the ground water. This ground water is the main source of water supply in various regions of the world. As proven by study. A persistent exposure to arsenic infected water or food source leads to life endangering illnesses and diseases such as various types of cancer, poisoning and diarrhoea (www.who.int/, 2013). This paper aims to explore the Lindbergh Family Farms case in detail with specific focus upon how the arsenic levels in food items can be lowered.

Discussion

Lundberg Family Farms

These farms were established in 1937 in Sacramento Valley in California by Albert and Frances Lundberg, which pioneered to produce organic rice for the first time in America. With passage of time, the Lundberg family adopted new farming techniques and measures, which ensured greater yield as well as diversifying their food range from sole rice grains to include flour, pasta's, ranges of gluten and vegan food products. The farms claim to use safe farming practices which greatly care for the soil, wildlife and water on its farmland. In addition, the farms also greatly hold the concern for both the environment and its product quality in immense esteem. The farm employs over two hundred and twenty-five employees across five thousand acres of farmland that over the span of twelve hundred acres alone produces seventeen different variety of rice alone (www.lundberg.com).

High Arsenic Levels found in Rice

However, as highlighted in an article by Zimmerman (2012) who states that it was in September 2012, that tests by an independent lab showed presence of inorganic arsenic traces, carcinogenic, in many of Lundberg Family Farms rice products. This news item was met with great panic and trepidation by millions of consumers of the farms various products. Moreover, a research by Dartmouth too further showed results of presence of inorganic arsenic found in the company's rice syrup.

The CEO of the company Mr. Schultz strongly contested these research findings by both the above mentioned parties, defending on grounds that seventy percent of the farm's sales were its organic products that include rice. Along with, that the farm doesn't use feticides and pesticides, however, the lab results showed a different picture. According to the federally allowed limit of arsenic in water was ten parts in a billion, but the lab results showed arsenic levels in rice ranging from twenty-four to two hundred and fourteen parts a billion. These are extremely high levels of arsenic found in the food level which can cause severe harm to the health level of the consumer.

Furthermore, in a special letter to their consumers, one of the other CEO's of the farm, Grant Lundberg, states the business philosophy and ...