Bree'sFilmAnnotation8

Bree Mobley, Annotation #8 “Food, Inc” 22 November 2011 1102 words

“Food, Inc” was directed by Robert Kenner, released 2008

The overall argument of the film aims to expose the current methods of meat production in the United States. The film says the shift to factory style production is largely due to the growth of the fast food industry, beginning in the 1950s. Drastic changes in the production of food overall is because a few companies now purchase a majority of the industry allowing them a monopoly on how the industry works. A handful of multinational corporations aim to produce large quantities of food at the lowest costs, mostly due to government subsides, resulting in enormous profits.

The film presents its argument effectively by dividing the movie into about different sections. Each section highlights a specific aspect of the food production inner workings such as factory farming, pesticides, farm worker protection, genetic engineering, finding organic and local foods, diabetes and obesity, environmental impact, the global food crisis, cloning, and foodborne illnesses. The film begins with a brief history of the beginning of the industrial food system. Driven by the fast food industry and more specifically the demand from McDonalds, a fast food restaurant that brought factory-like production to its kitchens, the world of farming changed into an industry. With the largest purchaser of beef, potatoes, chicken, tomatoes, and more being fast food companies, they could tailor the food industry to their desires. Such desires being low prices, high autonomy, and lots and lots of food. The film interviews food experts such as Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, and Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, as well as social entrepreneur and founder of Stonyfield Organic Yogurts, Gary Hirshberg. The film also goes out to states like Kentucky and Idaho to interview chicken and corn farmers who are at the mercy of the demands of the large companies they are farming for. The film goes inside a chicken farm to expose the poor conditions of the chickens. The film also shows a multitude of visuals showing large slaughter houses, really putting into perspective the amount of food that is produced in the United States. The film also talks a lot about corn and how it has become a primary ingredient in almost all of our supermarket’s products. Technological inventions like high-fructose corn syrup can be found in almost every food product. Also corn is now fed to cows and pigs and chickens as a feed because it is cheaper and plumps up the animals so more meat is available. Corn is heavily subsidized by the US government, allowing massive production and consumption to continue. One major point the film stresses is how “in the dark” the average American is about his or her food. The corporations are intentionally keeping information from the public so that inhuman, unethical, and unhealthy business and production practices can continue. This film draws out political, legal, economic, technological, educational, cultural, and ecological sustainability problems. I was most compelled to learn about the government involvement with the FDA and USDA in food production particularly in relation to corn. According to the film, 30% of American soil is currently growing corn. This is due to pesticide advances, fertilizer advances, and successful breeding research. Corn is heavily subsidized in the United States, making it affordable for farmers and consumers alike. However, forcing the price of corn down and eliminating any chance for corn trading from other countries has been detrimental to other aspect of our country that might not be obvious. For example, with US corn prices so low, Mexican farmers could no longer sell to US markets. This ended up putting a lot of Mexican workers and farmers out of business. This has been cause of much legal and illegal immigration into the United States. Also, large companies have been known to encourage such immigration because they now have access to a large work force that is satisfied with poor working conditions and low pay. What I found least compelling was how briefly the political side was talked about. The film touched briefly on a possibility of corruption within the FDA, EPA, and USDA in terms of the people put in charge of such organizations. There were some elected members who were previous hotshots in multinational food corporations. So essentially those people in power are expected to regulate the very companies they used to work for. This causes an incredible conflict of interest that should not even be close to happening. I wish the film would have expanded more upon these facts. And talk directly about how those positions are appointed. The film best addresses a concerned audience. It is aimed at a more liberal individual who is concerned about the origin of their food. I think this film does a good job at defending some people’s suspicions with facts and visual evidence. Also, the film puts into perspective the number of food consumed and how we have allowed the quality of our food to falter because of the markets incredible demands. To enhance this film, I would have liked to have our food production industry be compared to that of another. I am aware that other federal governments approve or disapprove of different pesiticides and hormones allowed in their food industry. It would have been enlightening and perhaps eye-opening to learn how other countries are handling the high demand of fast food as well as a growing population. At the end of the film a series of suggestions are made. The film urges its audience to vote for federal and state laws and encourage the regulation of the food industry. The film says to inquire where your food is grown and raised. It says to shop for food locally at farmers markets and to start a small garden as to lessen the demand upon the industry. This film inspired be to visit its website which proved to be a very useful source. The website expanded pretty heavily on the topics addressed in the film. It also advised how to take action. [] I also looked into the rise of Type 2 Diabetes in children and young adults as a result of a poor diet as highlighted in the film. Low income families do not have any choices when it comes to buying healthy food. Due to high government subsidies on corn and meat production, it is cheaper to buy chips, soda, fast food burgers than to buy vegetables and healthier and local food. This is causing a rise in obesity and subsequently a rise in diabetes. []