If you haven't yet seen the movie Food Inc. add it to your Netflix queue. This movie presents the reality of our current food industry and provides some shocking facts about what we eat. Some people stopped eating meat after watching this movie but for most it will make you think twice about where your food comes from. When you walk through the grocery store it appears that there are a million food producers out there somewhere but in reality there are only a handful and they mass market their food and slap one various labels which only makes them different in name not nature. And who do we have to thank for this mass production? The good old golden arches- McDonalds! McDonalds was responsible for transforming not only the fast food industry but also the entire food industry. Because they are the largest purchaser of beef and one of the largest of potatoes, tomatoes, pork, chicken, lettuce and apples they essentially control how and where those foods come from. Since the food is already being mass produced it also ends up in the supermarkets. What this means is even if we are not eating at fast food chains we are still eating the meat produced by that system.
Here is some more info that I found shocking:
- Birds are raised and slaughtered in half the time than 50 years ago and are now twice as big.
- 70% of processed food contains Genetically Modified (GMO) ingredients
- In reality processed foods are just clever rearrangements of CORN
- And Corn is one of the biggest culprits in changing our food and the evolution of plants and animals. Cows, Pigs, Birds, Goats, and even FISH are being fed corn because it's cheaper and it makes them fatter.
- 200lbs of meat is consumed per person per year. This type of supply and demand would not have been possible without corn.
- Corn fed animals have higher chances of having E.Coli
- Most plants and animals in the supermarkets have traveled 1500 miles from the farm to get there. Kind of makes you rethink what "farm fresh" really means.
I think this is all very disturbing, even if the intention is to eat good and healthy the food quality is controlled by the big monsters and all they are concerned with is money. The good news is we have the knowledge and we have the choice. Some suggestions to get higher quality food is by shopping at local farmers markets and maybe even linking up with a farm to get your meats. It might cost a little more and will take some time to adjust but in the long run we will be healthier and happier. If you want to make a difference or for more info visit: www.takepart.com/foodinc .
Here is a brief review of the movie:
Thoughts???
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Great post. Fyi, if you have ATT Uverse at home, you can see the movie through Videos on Demand.
Very good movie for anyone that eats food.
I think that it’s disquisting what is happening, and these companies are getting away with it. I will definetly be more cautious and watch what I am buying. It is more expensive to buy cage free and organic grass fed, but i will continue to do so. It’s no surprise that people are sick and dying because of the food they eat:(
Yep, btw. If you want raw milk, they sell it at the Campbell Farmers market on Sundays. They also have tons of organic fruits and veggies. It’s one of the best farmers markets around.
Thanks AJ. I’ll check it out.
Thanks AJ. I’ll check it out.