Dishing out some truth

Most of the people believe that our meat, dairy products, eggs,... are produced in farms. In fact food is fabricated in huge factories. The documentary “Food, Inc.”, broadcasted on television, gives a straight view on the American food industry. The real reality has been hidden too long.

It all started with McDonald’s who wanted to offer their products on the market place at the lowest prices. They actually invented mass food production. They bought little farms and transformed them into huge production plants. Other companies adopt this idea and now only a few multinationals control the whole the food chain. They raised the production efficiency to such a level that at the end in fact they only produce unhealthy products, which lead to health risks for consumers of their products.

The consequences are proven to be enormous:

• The food has become much more dangerous. Some people died by eating fast food that contains Salmonella or E Colli.
• Poor people have no choice and buy these products because they are cheaper.
• More and more people suffer from obesity and diabetes.
• Farmers are totally controlled by the multinationals and have no rights anymore.
• The industry causes pollution.
• ...

So why do the FDA and USDA refuse to intervene? Well, curiously enough these organisations are led by people who have strong connections with the food multinationals.

The FDA and USDA are supposed to protect us and control our food. In my opinion everyone who can be linked with one of these food multinationals should be immediately discharged from any government’s function.

I’m convinced that if more people would know the truth, this system could be changed. You can for example buy products of companies which respect their workers, the environment, the animals and choose for organic and locally grown products. It won’t be easy but there is hope.

Food, Inc. is a very confronting movie. I will never look at my meal the same way, that’s for sure!

By Liesbeth Alliet

Source: Food, Inc. (documentary directed by Robert Kenner)