Last night Eric and I watched Food Inc. I have been meaning to see it forever now and I finally got a chance to watch it after getting caught up on my orders.
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Here is a bit about the movie:
"In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults." [Source]
One of the main messages from this film is to educate yourself where your food comes from. It is not as simple as it seems either. The government and giant food companies work very hard so that we have no idea what happened to the food before it got to our plate. Robert Kenner did an amazing job at uncovering the veil that has been placed in front of us for so long.
The movie was just as I expected it would be:
Incredibly thought-provoking, horrifying, sad, emotional…yet inspiring.
Eric and I both teared up at a few parts in the film. At a couple points, I actually thought I might burst into tears and never stop crying. It was pretty overwhelming I will admit.
I actually didn’t know if I would be able to watch it because some of the parts are quite graphic. I had to turn away when they were showing the slaughter of the chickens and cows. The windowless, extremely overcrowded, and unsanitary chicken slaughter houses horrified me. I mean I knew they existed, but actually seeing one was just disturbing. Factory animals often spend their entire lives knee-deep in their own feces. It never occurred to me why there are so many E-coli outbreaks in our food system- well, the factory animals are often covered head to toe in their feces and it is impossible to fully remove the feces from the animal. So the feces end up in our food system. On our dinner plates. The feces also leak into the waterways and contaminate other vegetables like spinach. Pretty disturbing, isn’t it?
I found myself holding my breath at many parts in the movie and I noticed that I was quite anxious while watching it. It is one of those movies that you know you need to watch, but at the same time you know that you are going to have negative emotions while doing so. It is extremely depressing to think about what our food industry has turned into.
Here are some of the important issues touched on by the film:
Factory Farming
- Approximately 10 billion animals (chickens, cattle, hogs, ducks, turkeys, lambs and sheep) are raised and killed in the US annually. Nearly all of them are raised on factory farms under inhumane conditions. These industrial farms are also dangerous for their workers (they frequently get infections), pollute surrounding communities (manure, anyone?), are unsafe to our food system and contribute significantly to global warming.
Pollution
- The average food product travels about 1,500 miles to get to your grocery store. Transporting food accounts for 30,800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year.
Cloning
- In January 2008, the FDA approved the sale of meat and milk from cloned livestock, despite the fact that Congress voted twice in 2007 to delay FDA’s decision on cloned animals until additional safety and economic studies could be completed
Pesticides
- Cancers, autism and neurological disorders are associated with the use of pesticides especially amongst farm workers and their communities.
Genetic Engineering
- Some of our most important staple foods have been fundamentally altered, and genetically engineered meat and produce have already invaded our grocery stores and our kitchen pantries. Today, 45% of U.S. corn and 85% of U.S. soybeans are genetically engineered under a government-regulated system. In the 2008 election cycle, the food industry donated $65 million to candidates for federal office.
[Source]
There is really so much more to this movie that I don’t have time to touch on, so you really should go see it if you haven’t already done so.
This movie also left me hungry for Canadian statistics. I would love to find out more information about how Canadian factories operate. If anyone has any information on this, I would greatly appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction.
But the movie also gave me hope! We have the power to change this system now more than ever!!!
The Food Inc Website also provides some great tips on how we can make a difference in the system:
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It is important to note that the movie is not saying you have to go vegetarian to make a difference. If you can even reduce the meat you eat by one meal a week, you are making a HUGE, huge, huge impact on the food industry. If you choose organic meat, you are making a huge impact. You can make small changes each and every day that add up into something big.
I was asked last night on Twitter how the movie impacted the way I felt about the food that I eat. I simply said that it completely solidified my decision to eat a vegan diet. For myself, eating a vegan diet is my way of saying to the ‘system’ that we deserve better. The environment deserves better, the animals deserve better, and society deserves better. It also made me realize that organic is definitely worth it. For the past several months, we have not been buying much organic produce for cost-reasons, but the movie reminded me why it is important to vote for organic food. If it means that we will have to make other cut-backs in our lives, then so be it. I am going to try to buy organic whenever I can afford to do so to have my say in the system. I am also going to make more of an effort to buy locally.
As consumers, we have the power to influence the market. If there is a demand for organic, sustainable, and plant-based products- the super companies will deliver. Wal-Mart now carries many organic products because there is a demand for it. Don’t be fooled, I personally don’t think Wal-Mart cares about its’ consumers…but it is all about the bottom dollar for these super companies. If we demand it they will produce it.
I loved this take-home message:
Every time you eat, you are voting for the type of food that you want to see on the store shelves.
I really think everyone should watch this movie. It will change your life forever.
You can also download a postcard to help spread the message around the world!
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Have you seen Food Inc.? What were your thoughts? Did it change how you ate or how you viewed the food industry?
![Angela_Signature Angela_Signature](/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Angela_Signature_thumb43.png)
I cannot wait to see Food Inc. I was waiting for it to come out to rent in Canada – but it looks like it has if you rented it! I will be going out to get it very soon!
I haven’t seen this movie, so I cannot comment on the film specifically.
I will say, that I don’t like the generalization that comes with farming in general. Films like these tend to learn towards the fact that ALL meat is bad news.
There are still ways to eat meat that was raised in an ethical way.
Its all about education.
I totally agree – oftentimes people forget that your dollar/vote can be used for good, too, rather than opting out altogether. This film actually did a really great job of making the case for small, independent farms that practice ethical farming. it even explained why so many farmers can’t, and how that can be changed.
Thanks Laura! I will check it out for sure! :)
I haven’t seen it but I’ve been curious. I’ll definitely to watch it…
I think everybody knows that organic is better, but most people don’t even try to buy it because it’s just so expensive. I know I would prefer to buy organic vegetables but I honestly can’t bring myself to ask my parents for that. It’s just a lot of money. :/
I couldn’t agree with you more, and I’m so glad you convinced Eric to watch it too. I think they should ABSOLUTELY show this movie in schools. Can you imagine the fight of the meat and dairy lobby to keep it out?
I consider myself relatively educated about the items discussed in Food Inc. I grew up on a farm (beef cattle, and then later, horses), and I’ve seen it from that perspective. I also have developed a relatively healthy food lifestyle for my husband and I as an adult. (I’m still a meat-eater, and won’t be giving that up. But still). I went to see the film with several co-workers, who, for lack of a better explanation, aren’t quite as “up on” healthy food tactics as I am.
The biggest thing that disturbed me walking out is those people who were NOT as educated as myself seemed to have missed part of the message. They repeatedly told me they’d “just eat all organic now”. Well, organic is great — *I* eat organic. But did you miss the part where most of your grocery store organic brands are now owned by the larger corporations who also deal in the foods you just saw horrifically explained? Even the Stonyfield guy had to admit, not all the organic brands have kept their integrity.
I’m just worried about people like my co-workers not taking the appropriate messages from it. I guess a little education is better than none at all, though.
The only aspect I couldn’t watch was the pigs. I think I actually said out loud “OMG — did they just crush those pigs?!”
And I cried about the Safe Food Advocate. I couldn’t help it!!!
On the good side, Food Inc was shown in one of our local theaters, brought here by the organic/natural food industry in our town and surrounding area. We had kids bussed in from PHILADELPHIA (2 hour drive) to see the film! The theater actually arranged special showings during the week for it! :)
The pig crushing was by far the most disturbing part of the whole movie…my jaw hit the floor. Who decides that that is a good idea?!! It infuriates me.
Is that the part where this huge pusher of sorts pushes a whole pen of pigs into a chamber and then all you hear is screaming and thumps against the side?
I agree, this was the most disturbing part of the movie – as far as animal welfare is concerned.
I understand that animal farming requires killing of animals. For me, that is not a problem but to do these sorts of things is horrible. I am seriously looking for CSAs in the next few months.
Thanks for posting your review! I can’t wait to see this movie. I’m so glad I made the switch to become vegetarian just recently – statistics like this solidify my choice in doing so.
I agree with you 99%… I’ve been looking forward/dreading this movie because I haven’t fully changed my food habits yet, but I think this post is pushing me to finally go watch it. Personally, I’ve been switching slowly toward organic, and this winter my boyfriend and I are getting a freezer and a cow share from a local farmer with very humane and environmentally friendly practices. Real food tastes better too, and if you plan, it doesn’t have to be that much more expensive. However, it makes me sad that even though I can make an ethical meat choice, it would be impossible for everyone to do so, because the food system is just not set up that way. In the meantime, I am voting with my $ as much as I can afford to (which is still not enough).
Great post. I have been meaning to watch Food Inc. but have been putting it off- I am going to make it a priority to rent it as soon as it comes out. I have been toying with going vegetarian for a few weeks now; however, I really like the message the film conveys regarding how one can make a difference by going organic or foregoing meat one day a week. That is something I can definitely do until I make the decision as to my “food future.” Thanks for the great info!
I did find the movie very interesting but want to play devils advocate a bit- remember this is one persons view and interpretation of the data. While I did find a lot of the points very valid some of the stats were manipulated in their favor.
Both sides do manipulate, but as someone who does a lot of research I always have to remind myself to look at the integrity and validity of the data before I make any final decisions. Is it a true study accounting for all factors, are the methods valid and does the data say what the proclaim it does.
That being said, I do choose to eat as much local and organic food as I can but I also purchase things from larger companies as well. Here a few organic/natural companies who are part of much larger corporations:
Stoneyfield: Danone
Burt’s Bees: Clorox
Naked Juice: Pepsi Co.
Horizon Dairy: Dean Foods
Seeds of Change: M & M/Mars
After The Fall: Smuckers
R.W. Knudsen: Smuckers
Kashi: Kellogg‘s
Garden Burger: Kellogg‘s
Back to Nature, Boca: Kraft
Cascadian Farms: General Mills
Health Valley: Hain Celestial/Heinz
Arrowhead Mills: Hain Celestial/Heinz
Tom’s of Maine: Colgate-Palmolive
Dagoba Chocolate: Hershey‘s
Body Shop: L‘Oreal
Source: Leigh Peele’s Body By Eats
LOL I could’ve written your entire comment!
Thanks for posting :)
That is not surprising at all. It seems almost impossible to support organic companies who have no ties with the `big guys`. It is quite discouraging actually!
Don’t forget Ben & Jerry’s – owned by Unilever. Apparently B&J is autonomous but still…
I haven’t seen this yet, but I want to. I know what’s going to be in it, and that it will be hard to watch, but I think everyone needs to know more about where their food comes from.
I try to buy as much local food as I can and to buy meat from places I know are working in an ethical manner. It is hard, especially living on a tight budget, but it’s worth it.
Thankfully the Government of Ontario banned pesticides. HUGE statement for a government to make.
They did indeed ban pesticides for land (cosmetic) use- you can`t spray your lawn with it anymore…but farmers are still able to use pesticides on agriculture.
Glad you liked the movie and I loved that it solidified your decision to stay vegan. I really enjoyed the movie, it was an absolutely horrifying depiction of things I had been studying for years. What I didn’t like was that it touted ‘happy meat’ as an answer. While I know it wasn’t a vegan or animal rights film, but a film examining the power of big ag, it still dissapointed my rabidly vegan self! I think that people will comfort themselves after watching this movie by buying free range or organic meat/eggs/dairy thinking that that is the answer. But free-range/cage-free is a meaningless marketing ploy. Not only do those animals often live a life every bit as vicious and brutal as their conventionally raised counterparts, they are always shipped to the same slaughterhouses to be murdered. There aren’t ‘organic’ slaughterhouses where they cuddle the animal while it dies peacefully in its sleep. It is always terrifying and brutal. So, the film was good but I really wish it had advocated for sustainable veganic farming.
I understand what you are saying and I too struggle with those thoughts about it.This is a VERY slow process and change takes time. I think had the movie touted a `you must go vegan` message, many more people probably would have turned a blind eye to it…and ignored the movie all together. The movie was a great stepping stone for future research into the industry and I am hoping that there is a second, and third, and fourth…
Don’t you think that its a little limited to assume that the vegan diet is the correct and morally right choice for everyone? Do you really mean everyone? What about other countries, or cultures that are different than yours?
I don’t mean to come off as grouchy, or try to start some big fight, but global statements are usually something to think twice about. Your ideas about what is right are simply that: your ideas, constructed from your experiences. Other people have different ideas, constructed from their experiences, that should not be viewed as less valid or morally right.
sorry- i just re read that and it sounded really antagonistic! I didn’t mean too! (and I meant to reply to the comment above Angela’s, not that that makes a difference)
I would have to agree with The Voracioius Vegan and Angela on this one. Eliza, although I would agree that making big changes can be a lot of work, there is really nothing good about eating meat. Michael Pollan had a great quote in the New York Times last week…if you wouldn’t murder it yourself, then you shouldn’t be allowed to eat it.
Vegan is even becoming outdated. Someday vegan will be the norm and all those people who murder animals will have to introduce themselves as “animal murderers and consumers of flesh and animal mucous.”
Anika is obviously incredibly naive. There is nothing wrong with eating meat. What is wrong is the way the animals are treated and the way the meat gets to our table. If you can’t accept diets that aren’t the same as yours then don’t ask others to accept that you are a vegan. Simple as that. What you can ask is for everyone to become educated and then make decisions about what they want to put into their mouth and what industry then want to support.
I have to agree with Eliza on this one. I don’t eat a lot of animal products. And I don’t feel bad about the ones that I do eat. You know, I get my eggs at the farmer’s market. I know the farmer, I could go see the chickens if I want. (Our CSA farm sells eggs too. And has goats.) At least around here, the chickens are NOT sent to the same slaughterhouses, and they aren’t trapped in cages.
I grew up in a family that hunted. In a small town with farmers, and family who raised and killed their own cattle, chickens, etc. (Not my parents, aunts and uncles.) The “you shouldn’t eat it if you can’t kill it yourself.” Well, a lot of people DO kill it themselves, and still would. I could say that you shouldn’t use your cell phone unless you are willing to come into a semiconductor fab and make your own chips. You’re willing to get the benefit without spending 9 hours a day working with hazardous materials.
What I want for the food industry and animals is for them to be treated humanely when they are alive (like my family hunting deer…a great life, one bad day). The disconnect I see with my family now, who eat a lot of meat, is that they are no longer getting it from the local guy, and they really don’t realize that what they are eating now bears no resemblance to the “normal” food they had growing up.
Does it honestly not bother you… the idea of murdering sentient beings? They feel pain and fear and love their babies and communicate…
Just because they aren’t human beings does not mean they should be killed for sport *or* food.
I’m curious. I don’t understand. Why would that be pleasurable for you or your family members? How do you rationalize it?
It honestly does not bother me. Animals are food. They are not people. Sentient? Not at the same level as humans. If I had a problem with the fact that an animal died to feed me, then I wouldn’t eat it.
But that does not bother me. Again, grew up in a hunting family, chatted with my cousin as they slaughtered cattle, talked to my mom as she wrapped up the deer that my stepdad had killed that day. Eaten fish that my friend caught. Doesn’t bother me.
But eating a chicken confined to a cage its entire life spent living in its own feces? Um, no thanks, not on any level.
This is hugely eye-opening. Thanks for the detailed review…I NEED to see it!
Lets not even mention the fact that the waste from factory farms can’t even be used as fertilizer because the animals are so pumped full of chemicals that it would kill the plants instead of nourish them. (I’m reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma :) )
This is a really well-written article about a fairly recent ecoli outbreak: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/health/04meat.html?_r=2
It’s long, but so worth reading in my opinion. Again, really eye opening (even though I’m vegan). There is a video too.
You know what I thought was the most disturbing part of the whole movie (Food Inc.)? The BLEACHED MEAT. It was so gross.
Thanks for the review! I missed this movie in the theaters but I am going to rent it ASAP!
I haven’t seen this movie yet but I want to! I’ve read a few books on the subject though (The Omnivore’s Dilemma etc.) and it’s fascinating but disturbing…
I’m a Canadian living in Australia and I too wonder about the comparisons here. I generally assume Canada’s very similar to the US just because of it’s shared trade and shared borders but I know that isn’t completely true… Australia on the other hand is different, but how different? I know they’re not as corn-dependent. All their drinks etc are still sweetened with cane sugar not HFCSs, but is that much better? What about their meat? I know chicken’s not much better than the USA…. what else?
Thanks for the review! This movie really made me question my future career path. I am getting a degree in food processing & engineering, and this movie helped me realize that I can’t morally justify working for a lot of the big food companies when I rarely eat their foods myself. So while I am still getting the same degree, I hope to use what I learn for good, like finding ways to make better, nutritious, minimally-processed foods!
Another beautifully crafted entry from you. Thanks for the review! I would love to see this movie myself, but it just wasn’t playing around my neck of the woods! :(
Instead, I’ll have to wait for the dvd release, I guess. It sometimes makes me wonder why some people can’t stop and think what their putting in their bodies.
My husband and I just saw this the other night. I had to look away a few times and also got really upset about the conditions these animals have to live in every day.
I am, for the most part, a vegetarian. But, after seeing this I have already started to look at where my food comes from. And after being a vegetarian for the month of October, I think I may even try becoming a vegan after seeing this movie. It really is that powerful.