THE FOOD WE EAT -- PART 1: GETTING INFORMATION

I have been a quasi student of the modern food supply for some years now.

I'd been planning to write on it sooner or later when, yesterday, I got this Washington Post bulletin in my email:

"The largest egg recall in U.S. history comes during recent consolidation in the industry, as a shrinking number of companies produce most of the eggs found on grocery shelves and a defect in one operation can jeopardize a significant segment of the marketplace. Now, just 192 large egg companies own about 95 percent of laying hens in this country. And as the mega producers have developed, they have gone largely unregulated by government agencies responsible for making sure food is safe."

I figured it was time to address the whole food and water thing: industrial farms, bottled water, hormones and antibiotics in our food, fast food, our diet, the effects on our health and our kids' health (including obesity and diabetes), food advertising, key corporations behind our food.

Obviously I won't be able to do anything exhaustive but it's such a fundamental thing to our well-being that it demands attention. And, as usual, the whole landscape of what we eat and drink has changed for one major reason: money.

Here are some interesting DVDs you might want to check out:

* "Supersize Me": This groundbreaking documentary features filmmaker Morgan Spurlock as he restricts himself to a "McDonald's Only" diet for 30 days. What happens is frightening and instructive. Spurlock interviews laypersons and experts along the way and includes some eye-opening bonus features. You'll never look at your McDonald's meal the same way again. NOTE: This film, though disturbing on a certain level, is highly entertaining and well made. You really ought to take a look!

* "King Corn": Another grassroots experiment in which two college pals grow their own patch of corn and follow its life beyond the field. Interspersed with plenty of interviews and observations, you'll be shocked at just how corn is used now and why that isn't such a good thing.

* "Food Inc.": Explains how our food supply is controlled by a handful of corporations (see passage above about eggs). It's all about profit ahead of health -- and our health is paying a big price. More great interviews in this one. Like "King Corn," it will have you reading the nutrition facts on the food you buy. It's time to go organic, folks.

* "Fast Food Nation": This is actually fiction based on fact. Starring Greg Kinnear and featuring lots of other familiar faces, it's a reasonable insight into the fast food world -- from the conditions on the slaughterhouse floor, to exploiting illegal immigrants, to corporate cover ups, to the kids who serve you over the counter for lousy wages.

* "Bad Seed": A serious and slightly more scientific doco on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Looks at all the dangerous pitfalls of genetically engineering plants. And, as you'll see, America's FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is about as helpful as the crash position when a plane hits the side of a mountain.

I'll mention others over the course of this string of blog entries.

There are plenty of books and websites too.

I always like to direct people to the website of Corporate Accountability International (based in Boston) because I used to work there and I know how fastidious they are about getting good information -- and getting results with it. Go to:
http://stopcorporateabuse.org/

They have excellent sections on food and water, which are two of their major campaigns. Take a few minutes to read them -- it will be time well spent. CAI is actually pressuring McDonald's to retire its idiot clown to end his Pied Piper luring of our kids as "consumers for life" of their unhealthy food.

I'll leave it there and add more references as we go.

I hope you will read these blogs with an open mind. Things we like are not always good for us. Information, good information, is your friend.

Take care and keep smiling,
Adrian Zupp

IF YOU FOUND THIS BLOG POST INTERESTING you might like to take a look at THE FOOD WE EAT -- PART 2: SOME FOOD FACTS or CHILD HUNGER -- THE SCOURGE OF THE PLANET.