">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Docu exposes disturbing truth about U.S. food supply
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Asia Pacific
World
Search
Search:
Docu exposes disturbing truth about U.S. food supply
Reuters - Tuesday, June 16
By Kirk Honeycutt
ADVERTISEMENT
LOS ANGELES , might be "The Jungle" for the 21st century. Things, it seems, have gotten worse in our food supply.
No question, watching this film is a tough go. Horror films cause less seat-squirming. The challenge faced by Magnolia Pictures is how to bring in the unconverted, meaning those who pooh-pooh the notion that what they eat could possibly be unsafe. Making the film available across several platforms should deliver not only greater returns but a better-educated public that can vote for greater food safety by the way they shop for food.
Several films, including "Food Fight" and "Fast Food Nation," have explored many of these themes. But none engenders the sense of urgency -- and anger -- that "Food, Inc." does. The main villain is agribusiness, a multicorporation behemoth that controls virtually everything you eat.
The film, like Sinclair's novel, is an unapologetic exercise in advocacy journalism. However, lest anyone accuse the filmmakers of unfairness, representatives of the corporations that control our food supply were offered time to explain their approach to food safety. Everyone proved camera shy. Worse, the corporations pressured farmers not to give interviews or allow cameras inside food factories. Conditions are that bad.
But one chicken farmer did cooperate. And hidden cameras got inside a "factory farm." Don't schedule dinner after seeing this film.
Guided by Schlosser -- who appears on camera, as does fellow food journalist Michael Pollan -- the film explores how food has changed more in a half-century "than in the previous 10,000 years." Despite the farm images that appear on packaged foods, a handful of corporations, not farmers, control our food supply. Governmental regulatory agencies charged with overseeing food safety essentially are toothless because most of the administrators are former -- or future -- food company executives.
Here is what results: Cattle are fed corn rather than grass because it's cheaper. This has produced new strains of E. coli virus that have stricken thousands and killed hundreds. The processing of animals -- an often cruel process for animals and humans alike -- admits far too many contaminants into the meat supply.
Government policy favors subsidies for the "wrong calories" in our diet. This has led to epidemics in obesity and diabetes. Because of these policies, the cost of many foods is actually down -- but at the hidden cost of increased medical expenses. Don't flatter yourself if you don't eat fast food: The "system" reaches into everything you eat.
Kenner takes you through these unsettling stories through a mix of articulate talking heads, cameras peering where Food Inc. doesn't want scrutiny, citizens lobbying their representatives in Congress and entertaining graphics and animation. It's Michael Moore without the self-aggrandizing hyperbole.
What it's not, though, is discouraging: The film ends by asking people to shop wisely, to support farmers' markets and food produced by organic or sustainable farming methods. If Wal-Mart can change its products and policies because of customer demand, every one of those Food Inc. companies can do likewise.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle
Bob Bogle of rock band The Ventures dies at 75AP - 50 minutes ago
Fashion icon Kenzo strips down at auctionAFP - 1 hour 4 minutes ago
Baron Cohen _ as Bruno _ poses nude on cover of GQAP - 1 hour 13 minutes ago
US-ENTERTAINMENT SummaryReuters - Wednesday, June 17
Albert Hall loading bay gets pop music makeoverReuters - Wednesday, June 17
Most Popular – Entertainment
Viewed
Men's 'stiff upper lip' may explain cancer death rate
Obama signs note for girl who played hooky to see him
Plane makers scramble for deals at Paris Air Show
Luanda is world's most expensive expat city: survey
Court orders Exxon to pay $507.5 mln for 1989 spill
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 Iran protester slain after huge pro-reform rally
Air France planes get new speed probes after probe
US-TECH Summary
Palestinians angered by Netanyahu peace terms
Men's 'stiff upper lip' may explain cancer death rate
Nokia and Samsung heat up smartphone contest
North Korea's May nuclear test few kilotons: U.S.
| International
|
Obama cranks up health reform hard sell
One protestor shot dead at Tehran rally: local photographer
Universal, Virgin hail 'world first' unlimited music downloads
Virgin Media, Universal to offer unlimited music
EU "disturbed" by Iraq executions, calls for freeze
Analysis: Netanyahu's overture likely too little
Indian, Pakistani leaders expected to meet on Tuesday
| International
|
Protestor 'shot dead' at mass anti-Ahmadinejad rally
Russia threatens to veto West's U.N. Georgia plan
| International
|
U.S. commander sees fewer foreign fighters in Iraq
EU disturbed by Iraq executions, calls for freeze
| International
|
U.S. and EU cautious on Netanyahu
Nokia, Samsung heat up smartphone contest
Nokia and Samsung heat up smartphone contest
| Technology
|
US Gen McChrystal takes command in Afghanistan
Calif wants to cut legal aid attorneys for poor
China-US naval incident part of a rising trend
U.S. senators ask FCC to review mobile handset deals
| Technology
|
Higher-ed pinching pushes college presses to brink
Alleged Khmer Rouge torturer cries in court
Pentagon struggling to explain bombing incident
SKorean president arrives for talks with Obama
Ill. blogger who lied about sick baby apologizes
Lawmakers want IRS to suspend tax shelter penalty
Sheriff: 4 dead in Fla. family murder-suicide
Afghan presidential candidates prepare to campaign
US called `deeply troubled' by events in Iran
Court: Anti-aging guru's ex can't discuss divorce
Hundreds riot in China over new furniture tax
Photos of girl's body allowed in Ore. prayer case
Malaysia police fire tear gas on Iran election protest
Seventh Sumatran elephant killed in Indonesia
NASA will try to launch space shuttle Wednesday
Vietnam Airlines planning to buy 18 Airbus jets
Filipino remittances up 2.2 percent in April
Moody's wants clarity on Pakistan's foreign support
Harry Potter publisher denies plagiarism claim
| Entertainment
|
French prosecutor seeks dissolution of Scientology
Idol auditions attract thousands in Mass.
French prosecutor seeks dissolution of Scientology
| Entertainment
|
Bill Engvall `nervous' about hosting CMT awards
Brad Pitt, family give $1M to Missouri hospital
Gory British prison drama wins Sydney Film Festival
| Entertainment
|
Makana shares aloha with his slack key music
McCartney and Yoko push 'meat-free Mondays'
7 killed as anti-Ahmadinejad protests turn deadly
Plane makers scramble for deals at Paris Air Show
Seven killed at Tehran rally, more protests planned
| International
|
Twitter streams break Iran news dam
Iran state TV says seven people killed near rally
Court orders Exxon to pay $507.5 mln for 1989 spill
Son of North Korea's Kim visits China as heir-media
| International
|
Sun Micro kills "Rock" high-end chip project: report
Indian, Pakistani leaders expected to meet on Tuesday
| International
|
Seven people killed near Tehran rally site: radio
YouTube testing video ad viewing options
US urges Iran to accept invite to nuclear talks
Russia hosts first BRIC summit, India-Pakistan meet
| International
|
U.S. senators ask FCC to review mobile handset deals
Tweeting Iran: Elex news in 140 characters or less
U.S. commander in Afghanistan reviews strategy: report
| International
|
U.S. and EU cautious on Netanyahu
Berlusconi eyes concrete results for G8 summit
| International
|
US commander: US to stick to Iraq withdrawal date
China to swap bullets for lethal injections
| International
|
Samsung, Nokia heat up smartphone contest
Bomb kills two police, teacher shot in Thai south
| International
|
Obama welcome's Israeli prime minister's speech
Iran's supreme leader becomes political referee
Aussie senator unsure humans cause climate change
Chinese waitress walks free after killing official
| International
|
Officials vow support for renewable energy in West
Darkness at noon: Beijing's skies turn black
US calls for release of arrested Vietnam activist
RIM aims to cross categories with BlackBerry Tour
| Technology
|
China to execute inmates by injection, not bullets
Sun Micro kills Rock high-end chip project: report
| Technology
|
Waitress on trial in stabbing of Chinese official
Adobe to charge users for Acrobat.com
| Technology
|
Sen. Coburn questions 100 stimulus projects
Opera adds media, file sharing services to browser
| Technology
|
Son of North Korea's Kim visits China as heir
Clear Channel deal gives musicians Web channels
| Technology
|
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Indian, Pakistani leaders expected to meet on Tuesday
Detainee sheds light on CIA interrogations
Another school closed by swine flu in Hong Kong
Britain to unveil plans for digital future
| Technology
|
Ore. woman indicted in death of pregnant woman
NKorean 'heir apparent' visits China: report
SKorea condemns slaying of SKorean woman in Yemen
Co-worker arrested in Va. bus station shooting
Florida man dies in Yosemite National Park
Chief blames `knuckleheads' for Lakers disturbance
ACLU: Hospital discriminated against gay couple
Hollywood rep: private sector key in China access
Judge nixes move to charge `Bounty Hunter' star
A new role as 'risk regulator' could reshape Fed
Wash. murder charge for man accused in AZ killings
Big four emerging economies meet for first summit
Offshore holdings of NZ govt debt rose in May
Docu to chronicle Swinton's Berlin Wall bike ride
Korea Hot Stocks
Taiwan dlr firms as stocks cancel US dlr appeal
China, Nigeria state firms find oil in Niger Delta
S.Korea government bonds rise on U.S. lead
Seoul shares fall led by banks; MSCI news weighs
Nigeria urges court to dimiss S. Korea firm's oil suit
Docu to chronicle Swinton's Berlin Wall bike ride
Former Nirvana bassist ends Wash. protest campaign
David Letterman apologizes for flawed Palin joke
| Entertainment
|
Clear Channel deal gives musicians Web channels
Blame gets shared for dark side of reality TV fame
| Entertainment
|
Tarzan, Jane, and the animals, reviewed
Susan Boyle returns to tour after rest day
| Entertainment
|
David Letterman apologizes for "flawed" Palin joke
DiCaprio playing poker in new drama
| Entertainment
|
DiCaprio playing poker in new drama
Clear Channel deal gives musicians Web channels
| Entertainment
|
Architect slams Prince Charles' 'unconstitutional' intervention
Docu to chronicle Swinton's Berlin Wall bike ride
| Entertainment
|
Curtis, Chenoweth sign on for comedy Again
| Entertainment
|
Letterman apologizes for Palin daughter joke
Natalie Portman in step with Black Swan
| Entertainment
|
Letterman apologizes to audience for 'bad' joke
Docu exposes disturbing truth about U.S. food supply
| Entertainment
|
Review: `Food, Inc.' offers plenty to chew on
Opera launches new media, file sharing service
Saab to be bought by sports-car Koenigsegg
Iraq lawmakers to question oil minister over deals
Broadband gains traction despite economic crisis
Iranian blogosphere backs Mousavi as protests mount
Israel sees deal soon with Obama over settlements
| International
|
Microsoft files lawsuit over "click fraud"
Iraqis take control of Baghdad's Green Zone
| International
|
Bing search makes porn easy to filter out
Campaign underway for Afghan presidential poll
| International
|
Yahoo expands mobile presence in Asia
Italy quake survivors protest reconstruction plans
| International
|
Pakistan face tough Taliban foe in tribal belt
Adobe to charge users for Acrobat.com
World sleepwalking into disasters: U.N. aid chief
| International
|
Cyber attacks gow on SKorea military networks
Asia set to become biggest climate change driver
Georgia angry after Russia vetoes U.N. monitors
| International
|
Britain to unveil plans for digital future
Yahoo expands mobile presence in Asia
Ky. authorities investigate boy's elevator death
China acknowledges incident between sub, US ship
Ohioans ticketed for parking in own driveways
Indonesia coal mine explosion traps 30
The Nation's Weather
Police: SKorea man kills boy to hide drunk driving
Low tide: Shrimp industry hit by imports, prices
Twitter delays down time to aid Iranian protesters
| Technology
|
Teacher, 2 policemen killed in troubled Thai south
Obama's Day: Meeting with South Korean leader
Fighter plane crashes in Bangladesh, pilot safe
Iranian blogosphere backs Mousavi as protests mount
| Technology
|
Irish family's road trip ends tragically in crash
Asia set to become biggest climate change driver
Judge upholds ND's anti-corporate farming law
6 die after a mine blast in Indonesia
Microsoft files lawsuit over click fraud
| Technology
|
Italy agrees to take 3 detainees from Guantanamo
China Communist Party newspaper to expand coverage
ADB approves $3.4B loans for Asia to ease crisis
UK company debuts 2-seat hydrogen car prototype
Private equity firms eye Taiwan's services sector
Asia's economic growth bolsters climate change: ADB
Pakistan stocks fall further, budget fails to impress
HK officials face pay cut, jobless rate at 5.3 pct
Hopes fade for Indonesian miners after explosion
HK officials face pay cut, jobless at 3-year high
6 die, at least 24 trapped in Indonesia mine blast
Q&A-Is South Korea's economy ready for higher rates?
Indonesia Bukit Asam says 30 staff trapped in landslide
Japan's SMFG plans to raise $9.6 bln in share sale
Bank of Japan holds rate
Fashion world honors new stars Rodarte _ and Obama
`Transformers' toys live up to big-screen robots
Sharon Gless is a scene-stealer on 'Burn Notice'
Albert Hall loading bay gets pop music makeover
| Entertainment
|
Another move for 'Chess' _ on public television
Taylor Swift's CMT opener sounds simply dreamy
Docu exposes disturbing truth about U.S. food supply
Natalie Portman in step with "Black Swan"
Curtis, Chenoweth sign on for comedy "Again"
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights