Food Inc: Meat Will Never Be the Same

I certainly did not prepare myself for what was seen in the film we viewed last class. This film talked about the entire industrial process of food production while portraying true stories of individuals which made the entire documentary feel even more practical. Before viewing Food Inc., I had absolutely no idea the numerous negative factors in the food industry. This just proves how well society is covering up and hiding these shocking facts from the consumers.

Food Inc. begins by explaining where exactly our food comes from. As read about in Omnivore’s Dilemma, the public is so far detached from the knowledge of what exactly we consume each day and where that food comes from. Some of the instances this film walks the viewer through are E. coli outbreaks, the recent high increase in obesity and diabetes, the endless cycle farmers are vulnerable to, and the impact of fast food chains. Corn, soybeans, and chickens are some of the key elements demonstrated throughout the entire film. What made this film so emotionally stimulating as well as disturbing was the fact that this wasn’t only information, but very much so applicable to American’s everyday life. It is one thing to hear about the E. coli outbreaks of many, but a whole new level when the viewer hears the story of a poor young boy who fell susceptible to this deadly disease, simply by eating a hamburger. The problem with the food industry that scares me the most is how vulnerable every single individual consuming food, which is obviously everyone, is to the many diseases in the food we eat.

Corporations are only concerned with their own profit. Food Inc. made this statement so much clearer. I am guessing I was not the only one deeply disturbed by what I learned about our food industry through this informative film. Obviously, Americans would not be so shocked if corporations were doing a better job of educating the public on what exactly they are eating as well as the process it takes. As I mentioned before, corporations know their companies will hurt if more people were aware of the food industry. For example, every time I think about what I learned from this film, it is very difficult to look at meat the same way. At dinner the night after class, I began to tell my friends about the film we watched today and how I will never look at meat the same. Instead of wanting to learn more, many of them said, “No, no Brittany eww, I don’t to hear it. Don’t ruin it for me. I like my meat.” This is a perfect example of how many consumers have an idea of the shocking facts in our food industry, but is so addicted to their eating lifestyle; they choose to just not hear about it. Many are completely satisfied with no education whatsoever on what food they are eating and where this food comes from.  

·         What was your reaction to this film?

·         Have your eating habits changed at all since viewing Food Inc?

·         How do you think consumers can become further educated on the food industry?

·         More and more Americans are becoming aware of the food industry’s problem, but the problem hasn’t gotten any better. Do you think it ever will?