Food, Inc Summary

Food, Inc Video Summary

Robert Kenner’s documentary Food, Inc reveals that American consumers feel powerless over the food manufacturers. The fact is that average citizens cannot afford to buy organic food products or produce healthy foods on their own. The low-prices for processed foods in the United States is appealing to low and middle-income consumers. The manufacturers of the highly commercialized processed foods do not educate the vulnerable consumers of the pending health risks. The fact that a majority of the processed food products in the country have corn ingredient proves that nutritional issues are not addressed adequately. It is a nutritional fact that corn is prone to e-coli. The overproduction of corn in the country poses a diabetes and obesity risks to consumers.

The government has a role in controlling the pricing of food products in the country through the United States Department of Agriculture. According to Powell and Chaloupka, the department offers farmers with subsidies with an aim of increasing food production at a low cost (230). The subsidies are in the form of fertilizers, infrastructures, and creation of alternative markets at domestic and international levels (Powell and Chaloupka 233). The agency provides farmers with required technology at a subsidized price to produce food in large quantities.

The video emphasizes the issue of food safety to the extreme levels. The video is informative and presents the American food consumer with realities of how food production is managed and controlled. The video present issues that the average consumer may not know despite the increased cases of diseases caused by unsafe food. The physical visits to multinational food manufacturers and farmers lay bare the facts about unhealthy food production. The insight on how sick animals are used in making food products is shocking to the public. The footage of how meat is packed and the gross treatment of animals is devastating. The contribution of Carole Morison a chicken farmer who worked with Perdue Corporation narrates how farmers are forced to use antibiotics, technology and overcrowd the chicken.

The interview with Barbara Kowalcyk who lost a child from an e-coli infected hamburger is emotional and reminds the audience of the dangers of processed foods. The use of captivating graphics, first-hand testimonies about unsafe food, and expert perspective surpasses the industry’s marketing images of clean and healthy foods. The documentary leaves the audience educated and ready to question the government over unhealthy food claims.

The video’s impression that the overproduction of corn in the United States is causing e-coli related deaths is terrifying. The fact that foods with corn ingredient are re-engineered to last longer renders the product less nutritional. The risks of acquiring diabetes, obesity or cancer are higher when consuming corn-based products. From the documentary, I intend to change from unhealthy eating behaviors by eating real food. The prospect of eating seasonal fruits and organic food produce is ideal for attaining nutritional value like minerals and vitamins.

I will avoid corn product and related acidic foods like meat by eating grains. The unhealthy production of dairy product and wheat will be avoided to minimize gastrointestinal diseases and depression. I will increase daily clean water intake and physical exercises. Reducing consumption of fatty acids especially hamburgers and pizza are a necessity for avoiding obesity. Enrolling in a physical and nutritional program is essential for proper health guidance. Ensuring that food is safe for consumption is best enforced by cooking own meals.

Works Cited

Kenner, Robert, Dir. Food, Inc. River Road Entertainment, 2008. Film.

Powell, L. M., & Chaloupka, F. J. (2009). Food prices and obesity: evidence and policy implications for taxes and subsidies. Milbank Quarterly, 87(1), 229-257.