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Food Inc Research Paper

Decent Essays

The food industry has changed drastically over the past decades. Livestock were formerly raised in the open range in the western United States. Today, livestock are mass produced in factory farms. This change raises a question for many Americans; “Should there be concern?” Americans should absolutely be concerned about the food they are consuming.
Billions of unhealthy animals are slaughtered each year for human consumption. In contrast to the former farms that livestock roamed freely, todays factory farming keeps animals crammed into tight cages where they live in repulsive conditions; and they are fed a cheap diet tainted with antibiotics and pesticides. Cattle are fed corn to be fattened up quicker for slaughter. However, research has indicated …show more content…

Consuming high amounts of animal fats and cholesterol leads to health complications such as cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease kills 1 million Americans every year and is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Unfortunately, that is not all. James Brewer also discusses health concern in Food, Inc.: What the food industry doesn’t want you to see. “Food, Inc., recounts the heart-wrenching story of Barbara Kowalcyk, who lost her child Kevin, to a sudden attack of hemorrhagic E. coli from a tainted fast-food burger. He died in 12 days. It wasn’t until 16 days later that a beef recall was implemented, but the Kowalcyks were kept uninformed by the industry that Kevin’s death had any connection to the recall until legal action forced the admission several years later.” Americans are at great risk every time they consume meat products. Many are left in the dark to the extent that a family had no idea they lost their child due to the negligence of a meat …show more content…

Americans went from being a nation that relied on obtaining food from local farms to a factory that mass-produces and prepackages most of what many Americans consume. This drastic change in food production has affected food consumption, causing food to be readily available, predominately everywhere. In addition, the foods that are readily available tend to be cheap, processed foods that are high in calories, sugars, fat, and cholesterol. All of which contribute to unhealthy weight gain.
To conclude, Americans need to be concerned about their food consumption. The origin of where most food comes from, and the conditions in which livestock are raised contributes to many health risks that Americans face. Those who consume meat risk their health, and their children’s health. Due to the food industry that keeps the truth away from the public, many people not only uninformed, but also mislead by these corporations. Obesity has become an epidemic in the U.S. that many Americans are struggling to battle. However, by raising concern and seeking truth many Americans can overcome their

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