What the fast food industry is up to
Introduction
The 'Fast Food Nation' by Schlösser and the 'Super-Size Me' by Spurlock are intriguing. The authors reveal a scary truth that fast food is the path to obesity and Americans should make up their minds. Schlösser ‘talks about the practices in the fast-food industry and it is important to be aware of these practices and uncover the dark practices rather than focusing on what people love to eat. The author asserts that the fast-food industry is up to exploiting employees, increasing profit by targeting poor communities and children, and conquering the world using modern technology. The 'Supersize me' goes beyond the industrial perspective and focuses on the consumer's perspective. The author reveals the shocking truth that individuals are responsible for their health. The fast-food industry is concerned about making a profit and therefore, one should make a positive change in life. In general, the fast-food industry causes devastating consequences to health, and Americans will realize the truth after discovering how the industry produces food, disempower workers, and the role of personal choices.
On 'Fast Food Nation', Schlosser wants the Americans to know that the fast-food industry is up to making profits while providing poor nutrition. The corporations use manipulative tactics to improve the profit margin. Americans should be aware that American fast food contains harmful chemicals that contribute to negative health effects. To achieve the goal of making a profit, the industry employs unskilled workers who work in poor working conditions at minimum wages (Schlosser, 6). The restaurant industry has employed almost 3.5 million workers and they do not receive any benefit. For example, in 1973, women were employed in this industry to earn a living. The author says that since the majority of women are working in fast food corporations, mothers do not prepare food at home but rather, them but food from the restaurant (Schlosser, 4). They, the fast-food industry use employment as a strategy to prevent the families from making healthy food choices. The fast-food industry has created new jobs and it has also dominated the American economy. Since the industry is profit oriented, its marketing campaigns provide the customers with a feeling of reassurance. For example, Ray Kroc, a person who has a greater influence in the fast-food industry states that 'we will make conformists out of them in a hurry' (Schlosser, 5). It is important to note that the fast-food industry offers similar brands at different locations. This means that the customers will access the products at a cheap price. Another important point is that the fast-food industry uses promotional efforts to promote the products but they do not indicate the ingredients on the food advertisements. Americans should be aware that the fast-food industry provides quantities of food at lower costs (Schlosser, 6). This is a manipulative act-this means that the cooperation use deceptive tactics to accomplish their goals. They are not concerned with the issue of obesity and other negative effects but they focus on their advertising and promotion techniques to increase profits. Thus, the fast-food industry promotes unhealthy food to increase competition and stay ahead of the competition.
The Americas should be aware that the fast-food industry is treating poor people as expendable. First, the target market for poor nutrition is poor people. What happens is that large corporations such as ConAgra and IBP remove farmers from the land and corporations gain ownership and management. This cause social stratification or in other words, poor communities are unable to access resource and power. The society now is made up of two classes' wealthier elite and working poor (Schlosser, 8) Individuals who were landowners became rural ghettos and others become prison inmates. After creating social stratification, what happens is that the fast-food industry establishes guidelines for meat production and packing. The poor unskilled workers perform the industry practices and since they lack knowledge of food health and safety, they expose the food into dangerous pathogens. The author states that “…fast food is of much less concern to me than its impact upon the lives of ordinary Americas… (Schlosser, 9). This means that the end-users of the procedures are ordinary Americas or poor Americas and children. Thus, a point to note is that the fast-food industry exploits the poor people in two ways; by employing them to work in the industry, and by targeting them to consume poor nutrition. As a result, poor people become vulnerable to health issues. Another point is that they continue to be undermined and marginalized in society and the problems stem from the fast-food industry. The government also plays a role in fueling acts of discrimination in that the federal government does not have the power to regulate contaminated food (Schlosser, 6). In other words, the government does not work together with the fast-food industry to regulate the production of food. This indicates that people have 'personal choice' and the fast-food industry lacks social accountability. Thus, the Americans need to know that the fast-food industry has the power to sell fast food to the public and they are not accountable for using false information.
The last important point that Americas need to know according to Schlosser is that the fast-food industry i increase sales through technology. The author states that 'today's fast food conceals remarkable technological advances behind an ordinary-looking façade (Schlosser, 3).' Fast food industry is using the technology to prepare food. It is important to understand that food production is a complex process in that science and technology is allowing the fast-food industry to attract customers. The food is readily available and people are willing to purchase shelf-stable food. For example, McDonald uses technology to reduce wait times and increase competitiveness. Automation is a fast industry to increase productivity and meet the changing customer desires. The processing and packaging are done using machinery. The author states that 'Better Living through Chemistry and Our Friend to the Atom (Schlosser, 3). This means that technology is improving the customer's experiences in that they can opt for prepaid order hence improving their preference and purchasing power. Thus, Americans need to know that the fast-food industry employs unskilled workers who lack technology skills. This indicates that workers male mistakes while preparing food and their opportunities that food will be contaminated. The worker also lacks food safety skills and in the case of food contaminated, the fast-food industry is not held accountable.
The documentary 'Super-size me', Spurlock focuses on the food culture and sheds light on the health problems facing our society today. First, it is important to note that if an individual lacks personal responsibility, the fast-food industry takes responsibility (Dailymotion, 1). When people lack responsibility, they blame the fast food industry for their weight or health problems. However, the documentary reveals that 'you are what you eat' and every individual has a personal responsibility to make healthy choices. Americans should be aware that the fast-food industry is the root cause of obesity in America. However, individuals make big mistakes on how they make decisions. Although the corporation is accountable for obesity, individuals make choices (Dailymotion, 1). Americans should learn that every documentary has an indirect message that people should interpret by their own. For example, in the film, rather focusing on the corporation behaviors and the role of government regulating food production, one should make a personal judgment (Dailymotion, 1). Also, individuals are responsible for their health and thus, they should make a healthy lifestyle. The corporation as well the government should prevent obesity but individuals have the biggest role.
Finally, Americans need to know that fast food is addictive. One way that the fast-food industry makes money is by producing additive products. Once you start eating the food, it is difficult to quite since the food is rich in additive ingredients such as sugars. The fast-food industry is aware that too much sugar and salt cause negative effects on the body but since they are not concerned with the health of human beings, they use misinformation and manipulative tactics to motivate customers (Dailymotion, 1). For example, Spurlock consumed 5,000 calories in a day. He developed problems such as depression, chest pressure, headaches, shakes, and other problems. He was addicted though he says that addiction is a choice Thus, Americans should be aware that addiction is real and fast food is tasty and cheap. However, fast food is associated with negative effects and the industry is not responsible for your health. The industry will not change their behaviors but individuals can make healthy choices. People need choice and self-control to make a healthy choice. Americans should also gain awareness that the fast-food industry uses misleading information for marketing to influence buying behaviors. Therefore, it is important to choose words wisely to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
The fast-food industry has caused the obesity epidemic in that it has a toxic environment that not only misleads people toward making unhealthy choices but also focuses on making profits and using the new technology. The government as well as the environmentalists have tried to regulate the food business but all in vain. Thus, Spurlock asserts that individuals should be responsible for their health. Although the fast-food industry should play a role in improving the health of individuals, people should strive to make a difference in their lives through healthy choices. People should not blame the food business but rather they should blame their own choices. This indicates that one should exercise self-control to develop a positive image of oneself and lead a happy life.
Work cited
Chlosser, E. (2001). Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal. Boston:
Perennial.
Super Size Me. Dailymotion, 2020. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x560a74
