A viral video showing a worker stealing slices of bread has led bread-maker Gardenia Philippines to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident, which disgusted more than a few netizens.
In a statement that appeared on its Facebook account yesterday, Gardenia said it was “saddened” by what the video showed. The company said it is “taking the necessary steps and measures so that no similar incident[s] will happen again in the future.”
“The quality and safety of our products, as well as the welfare of our consumers, are our top priorities. Rest assured that we are doing our (sic) best we could to serve our customers with the best quality products and services,” it added.
The controversial video first appeared last night when it was shared by several Facebook accounts. It shows a man wearing a red Gardenia shirt stealing slices of bread from at least four bags of loaves. After committing the act, he closes each bag then returns them to the crate where he took them from.
The dude is like the local version of Jean Valjean, without the singing.
Watch the video below to see how he pulled it off.
In a follow-up statement that appeared just this afternoon, Gardenia said the loaves of bread inside the truck were unsold products that were taken from stores which were going to be brought back to its plant. They clarified that they were not new products that were going to be delivered to bakeries.
“The personnel involved is now undergoing [an] administrative due process,” Gardenia added.
Thing is, plenty of Filipinos just feel plain bad for the guy. After all, how bad off to you need to be to steal bread one slice at a time?
Posting on Gardenia’s Facebook account, Jel Runkle wrote, “While we are very disgusted with these acts, and we are definitely with you in improving your packaging, logistics, [the] safety of consumers, etc.to gain our trust again. Please be mindful also that these men are just hungry and trying to feed their families. Please at least try to give them reasonable punishment that will not cost them their livelihood.”
Others however were all too happy to play Javert in this little morality tale.
“A person should never resort to any crime despite their situation. Think again,” Rasil Aquino wrote.
Meanwhile, Froiland Steve said there’s more to this issue than just theft.
“Do you even understand the severity of the effects of his actions?” he asked Runkle. “Not only to the company but to the health of its consumers. Now they have to endure losses, they have to change their packaging and review different processes from manufacturing to logistics. Do you even understand the possible diseases this may cause?”
Others, however, suggested the company should be properly sealing their products to avoid tampering. “You should have sealed well your products,” wrote Rene Austria.
Should this man be punished? Tell us by leaving a comment below or tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
Read more Coconuts Manila articles here.
