In his thought-provoking book, Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser argues that America's fast food franchises have played a major role in contributing to the obesity and ill health of Americans. This paper shows how Schlosser argues that fast food has contributed to uncontrolled development, negatively impacted American culture, and have had a largely negative impact. The effects of Fast Food Nation on American society and politics show that Schlosser's thesis is largely convincing, due to both his careful analysis and his powerful and effective writing style. The paper shows that the book makes the reader challenge many long-held convictions about the fast food industry in America and worldwide.
In 2000, Americans spent more than $110
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Schlosser?s myth-shattering survey takes students to the California subdivisions where the business was born to the industrial corridor along the New Jersey Turnpike where many of fast food?s flavors are concocted. Schlosser suggests that in search of a better, more efficient way to serve customers, fast food has infused its way into the American culture. The evil lies not in the concept of speedy service and a homogenous food experience, it's the byproducts of such an industry that erases the concept of the individual. While he admits that fast food is not the sole source of grief for postmodern America, mentioning the shopping mall and suburban sprawl, Schlosser accurately points out that the actual cost of a Happy Meal is in how it manipulates the average person.
Eric Schlosser?s Fast Food Nation, along with Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and many others have undoubtedly contributed to the backlash of the anti-fast food movement. A growing awareness of the connection between diets and disease is slowly but surely taking hold in the minds of consumers. Natural and functional foods are becoming more popular all across the country.
Our government, however, have not taken the steps that many feel are necessary to stop this fast food trend. The closest move toward government regulation kicked off in November 2003, when both the House of Representatives and the Senate proposed legislation making
The investigative journalist, Eric Schlosser, has written a book to illuminate an epidemic that started in America and is now becoming one of the world’s largest problems. In Fast Food Nation, Schlosser frames today’s Fast Food giants in history,American entrepreneurialism, and over consumption in respect to consumer and employee wellbeing. The power of all modern Fast Food giants combined have eclipsed the power of any one government. Marketing has become a key component to luring consumers to fast food. Schlosser makes the argument that a once AllAmerican ideal, fast food has grown too big to control.
Fast food is unhealthy and does not provide the necessary nutrients needed for a daily diet, however Mcdonald's, a fast food empire claimed in a 2004 lawsuit against them that fast food can be a part of a healthy diet. The court ruled that the plaintiffs would have a serious claim if they could prove that eating fast food for every meal is dangerous for the person and their health. Morgan Spurlock, writer, director, producer, and star of 2004 documentary Supersize Me set out to prove that fast food is dangerous for a person's health. The documentary follows Morgan on his 30 day challenge of only eating fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Through Morgan's challenge his weight skyrockets, his health declines and feels terrible all the time. Many people believe that fast food companies are to blame for America's obesity but the individual must take responsibility for what they put into their bodies instead of blaming fast food companies for their unhealthy eating habits .The documentary explores the idea that people should avoid eating fast food because Fast food, although more convenient and easier is worse for you than making your own meals. Fast food leads to many health risks and is not a good substitution for traditional meals. People should avoid eating
Eric Schlossers book Fast Food Nation is not only an expose of the fast food industry but also shows how the fast food industry has shaped and defined society in America and other nations as the fast food culture spreads globally. He connects the social order of society to the kind of food it eats and the way it eats that food, and relates fast food to other social processes and institutions. His facts are based on years of research and study, and are presented in and easy to follow narrative. Schlosser is so thorough and convincing in his argument, it's impossible to
There has been a strong concern, however, that unhealthy fast-food has been served and advertised at cafeteria in public schools nationwide and legislation against serving and promoting these foods may be necessary to solve the problem. Schlosser revealed in his book ten years ago that “nation’s food chains are marketing their products in public schools” (Schlosser 52) and points out that “about 30 percent of the public high schools in the United States offer branded fast food” (Schlosser 56). In Super Size Me, the director and performer Morgan Spurlock also shows that many public schools serve innutritious fast food at cafeteria (Super Size Me). In 2005, the Institute of Medicine recommends
The All-American meal takes more out of Americans to make then at first glance. Eric Schlosser’s book Fast Food Nation delves deep into the intricate workings of the fast food industry to expose mistreatment and cruelty towards workers in the business, just as Upton Sinclair had done in the early 1900’s regarding the meat packing industry. Schlosser is able to bring light to the darkness behind the All-American meal through extensive research and personal confrontations of which he has high regards for.
Every day the average american can be seen throwing money at things. This is the relationship that can be made between america and food, as seen in “What We Eat”. Eric Schlosser talks about how food in general has made a noticeable difference on the American society. He does this by referencing how the amount of money the average american spends on food has surpassed numbers unimaginable. Schlosser says that the effect of fast food in america has made it so that “On any given day, about one quarter of the adult population visits a fast-food restaurant.”
The fast food industry encourages the public to buy their food through advertisement and even reward systems, but the general public is too naive or generally don’t care enough about their well being to attempt to eat a healthier diet. Today I believe the general public is leaning more towards a healthier diet with the constant knowledge being produced daily on
Schlosser employs anecdotes in order to evoke emotion from his readers to achieve his purpose. One anecdote the author includes is the story of Alex Donley, a six year old boy. Alex Donley ate a “tainted hamburger” from Jack-in-the-box that led him to become infected with “E. coli 0157:H7”(Schlosser 200). This disease obliterated his entire body and progressed rapidly. Alex died within five days. The author uses anecdotes such as Alex’s to evoke sympathy and fear from his readers, especially parents with young children. The stories make parents and anyone who buys fast food reconsider what they are putting in their bodies for if a young boy can die from a simple burger, then what’s to prevent others, kids, or even one’s self from becoming the next victim in the vicious industry that is fast food? The use of anecdotes ultimately helps the author unveil the beast that is the fast food industry by pulling on the heartstrings of Americans.
The story of the fast food industry and its effect on the world is well told in the book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. Schlosser makes the claim that, what started out as a special treat for the kids eventually ended up defining a way of life. During a brief period of time, the fast food industry has helped transform not only the American diet, but also our countryside, economy, workforce, and popular culture. The book thoroughly describes how important the two factors of money and power are in today's society. The book clearly establishes the broader thesis that as consumers, we should know what we eat even if it makes us uncomfortable by the knowledge.
Knowing what is in your fast food might make you think twice the next time you devour it. As the rise of the fast food nation in America has increased to an all-time high, so has the weight and waists of Americans all around the country. Not only has the United States grown to love the acquired taste of greasy golden fries and juicy burgers, it has also grown ignorant to the way their food is prepared. In the novel, “Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal”(2002), by Eric Schlosser, he makes compelling points in his position against the fast food industry.
He wants to show a personal account of the difficulties that everyday people endure trying to accommodate different aspects of a fast food meal possible to the consumer. By stressing this, Schlosser also shows the need for the sanitation of fast food to be dealt seriously. He directs these ideas towards the less informed of American society. Schlosser wants to reach out to those that wish to become more informed of the fast food aspect of America, and to Americans, fast food has become a normal aspect of life. Even Professer Pothukuchi, of Wayne State University agrees that “fast food is destroying us: individuals, communities, work and family life, and indeed, our very connections with the world” (Pothukuchi 1). This book is intending the audience to steer away from what seems harmless, because fast food seems innocuous, when in reality is the opposite.
Every day, a multitude of Americans are negatively effected by fast food. The primary fast
On November 2nd, 2015 Michael Specter from The New Yorker published the piece “Freedom From Fries- Can Fast Food Be Good For You?” This piece is an informative yet entertaining article that frames Specter’s knowledgeable background and research of the food industry. Today, we live in world of food –crazy millennia’s, constantly blogging, Tweeting, Instagraming and critiquing any food they can get their hands on. Part of the next generation of food is that we want what we eat to be healthy yet taste and prices matter too. Spector investigates the food world we live in today and how our generation is fuelled by concerns about their health. He also is concerned with researching the state of the food industry in regards to food and environment. Part of this means that we also are interested in how our food is processed and made, showing a general increase in American distaste for industrially produced and highly processed food. Today, new chains are breaking onto the scene to step away from fast food chains like McDonalds and to create a distinct difference between classic fast food and healthy fast food.
Throughout many years, food has grown to become more controversial and celebrated subject in America. Some say we should eat whatever we want while others declare that we must have control over our diet. However, these opinions become heated when it comes to food and obesity. Even though these writers share similar feelings, they take different approaches to this issue. The articles showcase the various dilemmas and the people involved in the business of fast food. Each and every day, franchises like McDonald’s and Burger King gain more customers and money. No matter what, McDonald’s and Burger King will always be here. Likewise, obesity will always be an issue in America. Fast food is distinctively part of American culture. By connecting and discussing three articles on the subject, I will show you that there will never be any solution. Americans today do not like it when food becomes more fearful and less of a comfort. Black and white doesn’t work in a gray world. As long as time allows, the golden arches will stand tall.
According to Morgan Spurlock's documentary Super Size Me, one in every four Americans visits a fast food restaurant each day. America is considered the fattest nation in the world as 60 percent - or 100 billion Americans - are either overweight or obese. With the amount of obese people regularly eating unhealthy fast food meals, it is clear that fast food is