Fast Foodborne Pathogens

In today’s society a huge issue is that we constantly hear about the food industry in America. We often hear in the news that obesity rates have increased, or that Americans have many diseases that contribute to being obese. “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko expresses that people are at fault for making such unhealthy food choices. Others argue that the food industry is to blame for being so unhealthy. According to David Zinczenko in “Don’t Blame the Eater” he blames the fast food industry as well as the consumer. Zinczenko asks “shouldn’t we know better than to eat two meals a day in fast food restaurant’s?” (392). So, who is to blame for American’s eating so much unhealthy food? Should it be the consumers’ burden or the fast food companies? On one hand, as consumers we continue to purchase foods that we know are making us overweight. On the other hand, fast food companies continue to offer high in calories foods.

Fast food, in today’s society, has become a major part of individuals’ lives. For it’s easy, quick and cheap food. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically it is referred to as low quality, prepackaged foods that have little preparation time. Through further research of fast food restaurants and their role in the obesity epidemic in America, it lead to further conclusions on the need for changes that must be done in order to combat obesity. There are, however, multiple individuals who feel that the fast food industry is simply taking a toll on Americans and their health. For instance, the article “Don’t blame the Eater” explains the battle of fast food chains in America, and the major causes of this epidemic. Obesity in America, costs the United States about 147 billion dollars annually. In a recent article, Author Eric Finkelstein, a researcher for Triangle Park conducted a study in which explains the multiple causes and affects of fast food chains and its role in creating an unhealthy society. Considerably, “The Effect of Fast food Restaurants on Obesity”, an in depth article written by authors Janet Currie, Stefano DellaVigna, Enrico Moretti and Vikram Pathania, share their studies and findings on how fast food chains are indeed a major player in obesity across the country, as well as a leading player in the up rise in health related illnesses. There is a connection between neighborhood scarcity and fast food industries.

We find foods everywhere we look; sitting along the roadsides, calling at you in bright colors from grocery store shelves, glowing in vending machines down the hallway. There is no way to escape the never-ending advertisements from fast food restaurant. This is where obesity begins; consuming more food portions than your body needs People need to set limits and health plans early in their life to overcome this new threat. In this research, journalist Erica Goode tries to evaluate the local and global influence of the fast food industry of the United States.

In the article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko argues that today’s fast food industry is to blame for obesity. Zinczenko says that when he was a child lunch and diner for him was a choice between “McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Kentucky, Fried Chicken, or Pizza Hut,” those are largely the only options for kids today. Lawsuits are being held against these big companies. Even though fast food restaurants are cheap and affordable, it’s very hard to find a healthy food that is cheap as fast food. On the other hand, it’s a person’s choice on whether choosing to eat at a fast food restaurant or buying himself a salad at the supermarket. Instead of getting a burger for three dollars, why not go to the grocery and get whole wheat bread, ham, and

America is one of the fattest countries in the world and is getting fatter by the second. Fast food used to be simple, small portions, less calories, and even simple menus. Now wherever you turn, there is a restaurant just right around the corner. Just in the past ten years the range of food choices has emerged. Fast food is the reason why health problems have become a major health issue in the United States. Although fast food has made it easier on Americans, Americans are at risk of preventable health issues, like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes; therefore, fast food has impacted Americans in a negative way.

The American society is being distracted by T.V advertisements, video testimonies, and fast food companies who’re encouraging individuals to consume fast food. This is an example of propaganda and a technological control. Obesity itself may cost a significant amount of money in the U.S. in addition to death. According to the article “Food for Thought: Malnutrition and Obesity” by D. J. Shaw, he states that the CDC has estimated that about 280,000 Americans dies each year from being overweight and also that obesity is costing the United States a whooping $240 Billion dollars in health care (351). Americans aren’t receiving the necessary motivation to exercise and practice a healthier lifestyle. Major fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Five Guys are falsely encouraging individuals to eat their food. They’re taking advantage of them by taking all their money. Instead of spending the money on whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, they’re spending all hard earned money on junk food. In addition, consumers don’t realize that these major food corporations aren’t telling how many calories are in their products. As customers, we have the right to know how’s are food being processed and how many calories (sugar, fats, cholesterol, sodium) are in the food.

When these animals are taken to the slaughter house, their carcasses can become contaminated when come in contact with intestinal contents (http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodborne-germs.html). Fruits and vegetables can easily become contaminated when water used to wash off suspected bacteria is contaminated with sewage. The most common form of Salmonella comes from eggs, which can become contaminated when a hens’ ovaries become infected, causing the pathogen to lay on the yolk before the shell is completely formed around the egg itself.

The United States has seen a rapid increase in the number of obese adults. More precisely, the late 1970’s marks a point in which the percentage of obese adults started to jump. Within a twenty year period, the percentage of obese adults had risen almost twenty percent. Today, we sit at sixty-eight percent of the population obese or overweight and the numbers only continue to rise. With a boom in the popularity of fast food restaurants in the mid 1900’s, society had easy access to food, fast. Still today, we rely on fast food to feed us, fast and cheap. However, most fast food is not only easy to access, contributing to over eating, but is also very unhealthy. I see this as a major contributor to the issue of obesity.

In today's society, fast food has become a large part of many American's lives. With the rising numbers of obese people, it is hard not to draw a correlation between the increase in fast food and obesity. Most obese people don’t want to be obese and wish they could lose weight, yet they continue to struggle with their fast food intake and obesity. This is due to the advertising done on the consumers, the highly addictive food itself, and most importantly, how advertising and addiction combine with children to form habits that are kept once they become adults. These factors are the reasons that fast food restaurants are to blame for the rising obesity and health risks across America. The government needs to step in and place regulations on

Did you know that foodborne illness kills 3,000 people each year? At least 128,000 Americans are hospitalized from foodborne illnesses. Most foodborne illnesses are acute, meaning they happen suddenly and last a short time, and most people recover on their own without treatment. Foodborne illnesses are infections caused by food or beverages that contain harmful bacteria, parasite, viruses or chemicals. If you develop foodborne illness/food poisoning rest and drink lots of water. All foods have small amounts of bacteria. Symptoms of the diseases are abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and body ache. “Easy way to prevent food illness are to cook to the right temperature, wash your hands and surface often, refrigerate foods promptly, and separate raw meats from other foods.” (https://www.cdc.gov) The CDC estimates that 48 million foodborne illnesses cases occur in the United States every year.

Obesity has become an epidemic in today’s society. Today around 50% of America is now considered to be over weight. Fast-food consumption has been a major contributor to the debate of the twenty-first century. Chapter thirteen, titled “Is Fast-Food the New Tobacco,” in the They Say I Say book, consists of authors discussing the debate of fast-food’s link to obesity. Authors debate the government’s effects on the fast-food industry, along with whether or not the fast-food industry is to blame for the rise in obesity throughout America. While some people blame the fast food industry for the rise in obesity, others believe it is a matter of personal responsibility to watch what someone eats and make sure they get the proper exercise.

In 2015 there was a foodborne illness outbreak at Chipotle; a common and very popular restaurant. The outbreak had hit several states and a total of 22 were effected by E. Coli and some even had to be hospitalized (Time 1). This goes to show that consumers are not being concerned enough with the food they are eating, even at a favorite restaurant. Foodborne illnesses are preventable, a common problem, and health issue, but they can be very serious and even fatal. Studies shows that there have been 48 million cases of food borne illnesses annually which is 1 in 6 Americans each year. This results in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths (U.S Food and Drug 1). Food Borne illnesses are infections that are usually caused by bacteria, molds and toxins, parasites, and allergens. Specific examples of the dangers of food safety are illnesses such as botulism, E. coli, and salmonella. These illnesses can lead to long term effects including, kidney failure, chronic arthritis, brain damage, and even death. Most people are not aware of the food they are consuming and need to be more concerned to prevent any further illnesses or problems. Consumers are not aware enough of the

Food animal such as poultry, pigs, cattle but also pets like cats and dogs carry salmonella. The entire food chain can be infected through animal feed and up to final food outlets (WHO). However, outbreaks are very often caused by contaminated food. Ready to eat products are increasingly becoming sources of salmonella infection just as we witnessed at the Street Spice Carnival. Heating thoroughly food would help hold back salmonella

The objective of this study was to record a quantitative approximation of how many bacteria are present within various samples of meat products. The bacterial content of each meat sample is vital information in regards to improvements within the meat processing industry, and gives reason for changing or sustaining current feeding and processing conditions. Understanding which methods taken in processing meat that is sold to the public is a matter of public health, as obtaining and maintaining lower levels of bacteria in meats will reduce the likelihood of succumbing to illness from the consumption of such products by the end consumer. In a previous study focusing on the levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria found within randomly

“A nation 's diet can be more revealing than its art or literature” (Schlosser, 3). Historically, few trends have been as popular in the United States as fast food. From Burger King to Taco Bell to McDonald’s, it seems that numerous fast food restaurants dot every corner; in fact, specific restaurants have now even joined forces, so that a Taco Bell and a Pizza Hut might coexist within one building. Statistically, Americans eat a great deal of fast food, and the industry is extremely profitable. People enjoy this food because it is inexpensive, convenient, and designed to satiate desires for strong flavors, especially tastes for salt and fat. However, this food comes at a higher cost than the low prices on menus would indicate; due to its contributions to the obesity epidemic, the dangers posed to teen workers at restaurants, and the targeting of children and poor communities, fast food poses a significant danger to the citizens of the United States.