Notes on Food Industry and Health Issues

Odds of Early Onset Diabetes

• Statistics: 1 out of 3 Americans may get early onset diabetes.

• Reason for High Numbers: Junk food is inexpensive and easily accessible, leading to unhealthy eating habits.

Hidden Costs of the Food Industry

• Employment Practices: Companies like Smithfield only hire poor individuals, minorities, and immigrants.

  • Reason: These groups are willing to work for lower wages, which reduces product costs for the company.

Biotechnology and Agriculture

• Monsanto's Roundup Ready Corn: This corn is genetically modified to resist the herbicide Roundup.

• Seed Saving Prohibition: Farmers using Roundup Ready corn cannot save seeds for the next planting season due to legal actions by Monsanto.

• Contamination Issues: A farmer growing non-GMO crops can be held responsible if his fields are contaminated by pollen or seeds from a GMO crop nearby.

• Industry's Resistance to GMO Labeling: The food and agriculture industry avoids labeling GMOs to prevent alarm among consumers.

• Veggie-Libel Law: Legislation that prevents criticism of the food system, protecting companies from public backlash or lawsuits.

Agricultural Monopolies and Competition

• Concentration of Crop Production: The food system relies on a few crops managed by a limited number of companies.

  • Danger: This creates monopolistic conditions, driving out competition and allowing control over prices.

• Consumer Influence: Individuals can impact the food system by choosing to purchase healthier food options.

Walmart and Organic Food

• Discussion Point: The sale of organic food by Walmart can be viewed as beneficial.

  • Reasoning: It raises public awareness about organic food, which is ultimately better for the environment, regardless of the company's motives.

Fast Food Industry Control

• Beef Supply Companies: Cargill, Tyson, National Beef, and Swift dominate the beef supply.

• Pork Supply Companies: Tyson, Swift, Cargill, and Smithfield are the main players in pork production.

• Chicken Farming Changes:

  • Growth Time: Chickens now grow faster than ever.

  • Living Conditions: They are kept in unsanitary conditions and live in their own waste.

  • Health Care: Antibiotics are administered to enhance white meat production.

Chicken Coop Conditions

• Inside Conditions: Chickens are confined in filthy environments where their anatomical structure cannot keep up with rapid growth, leading to health issues.

Corn and Its Impact

• Land Usage: 30% of U.S. land is used for corn farming.

• Corn-based Products: Ketchup, Coke, and Peanut Butter are examples of products derived from corn.

• Cattle Feeding Problems: Feeding corn to cattle leads to digestion issues and results in E. coli bacteria due to undigested feces.

E. Coli Contamination

• Spread of E. Coli: Contamination occurs via fertilizers and practices in slaughterhouses.

• Technological Solutions: The use of ammonia additives helps prevent E. coli contamination in food.

Economical Choices in Food

• Cost of Less Healthy Options: Less healthy food choices are typically cheaper due to lower growing and transportation costs.