Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Knowledge

Continuing the A-Z Challenge from Arlee at Tossing it Out

Today is K - Knowledge

I have a movie review that fits perfectly with today's topic. (And it's almost distopian in its outlook - except this is all happening right here and right now!)

Food, Inc.

A post by Marvin at The Old Silly reminded me of this movie and I viewed it as an Instant Watch on NetFlix this past weekend. (On the new iPad, I might add - and the picture quality was better than my computer!)

For those who've hesitated to see this film, rest assured - it is not pro-vegetarian nor is it about animal rights. (There are a couple scenes of animal cruelty, but nothing graphic.) It's about how our food choices affect us, our health, the government, and big business.

This film covers many aspects of our food production and packaging, and how big business now controls almost all of it. Everything from the medications we pump into animals to the genetically altered seeds now planted is explored in detail.

It explains why beef is constantly being recalled due to e coli breakouts. (I almost never consume beef, but after watching this film, I doubt I'll ever touch supermarket cow again.) It questions why the advancements in medicine and technology are making our food more dangerous rather than safer. It discusses labeling and laws. (Did you know it's illegal to say anything bad about the beef industry in Colorado? You will get sued and they will win!)

However, unlike a lot of documentaries, this one doesn't leave the viewer totally frustrated. It does provide options and alternatives, and informs us how we can all make a difference through our purchases at the grocery store.
Fascinating, revolting, and informative film. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know the truth behind what he or she is eating - because those producing the food will never tell us.

29 comments:

Sarah Ahiers said...

yeah i have this on my instant queue but haven't watched it yet. I eat meat, but always buy organic, free range and grass fed whenever i can. I'm looking forward to when i can have a set of yard chickens for fresh eggs

Summer Frey said...

I have this on my queue too! Between this and The Omnivore's Dilemma, eating will never be the same for me! :-)

Talli Roland said...

I'm sure it's an interesting film and it sounds highly informative. I'm just not sure I can handle knowing the truth! I love beef!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Go watch it! You need to know. And good for you for selecting organic, Falen.

Unknown said...

I'm like Talli. I love a good steak or burger and I don't think I want to know for sure. lol. We buy most of our beef from a local butcher, not the supermarket. Not sure if that's different, but we've been going there for 25 years.

I know, I'm part of the problem...

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A good post Alex, Knowledge is a good subject for you as you seem to have plenty of it.
An excellent read.

Yvonne.

Natasha said...

To pander to religious sentiments of the majority Hindu population, cow slaughter is illegal in India. So, technically, you can't have beef here.
But bufallos are not cows, are they? So you do get beef, but covertly.

~ Rayna

Julie Dao said...

I love burgers and steaks, so I'm kind of afraid of watching this. Maybe it's better not to know...

Blah said...

My husband used to work in the food service industry and often toured food processing facilities.

He always said that if people had any idea what is done to - and goes into - the food we eat, they would be *horrified*.

B. Miller said...

Very cool, thanks for sharing this Alex! I have been dating a vegetarian for about six years now so I'm familiar with the organic movement and all the tasty alternatives out there to meat. I am, however, still a guilt-free carnivore (mmmm, bacon). I definitely need to check this out, as these are things I think about a lot as I make my choices at the grocery store!

Grammy said...

Hi, Alex,
Sorry, but I have eaten beef so many years that is sold in the supermarket, that if it was going to do me in, I reckon it is too late to stop it now. I do love a good hamburger occasionally and we had a really great roast beef for supper last night. Thanks for the very informative posting, though. I reckon I am like the Ostrich who buries its head in the sand, if I don't see the area around me, it can't see me. ha ha.
Thanks for coming to visit me and leaving the really neat comments.
Ruby

Unknown said...

Thanks for reviewing this film. EVERYONE should see it! Those of us struggling to buy expensive alternatives of organic beef and poultry instead of consuming the toxin riddled meats available in supermarkets urge everyone to climb aboard this important bandwagon. The higher the number of organic foods consumers, lower we'll drive down the costs, and the more powerful we'll become in terms of swaying market shares and forcing meat factories to change their cruel and poisonous business tactics.

Once people begin to understand where our grocery store food comes from, and how the nutrition in food is compromised in the name of profit for big industry leaders, the more they seek out information. The trend is picking up momentum. I believe change is on the horizon!

Thanks!

Elana Johnson said...

You always enlighten me on films I've never heard of. Thank you!

Raquel Byrnes said...

That law in Colorado totally reminds me of that "beef" that Oprah had with the industry a while back...what a bunch of trouble! Great post.

DEZMOND said...

Oh, I still remember how a bunch of American women attacked me over in one of my friend's blogs, when I said that I don't get the American tradition of eating ready made and frozen food. Although I was aiming at the unhealthy aspect of that kind of menu, and the poisons they are giving to their kids, they saw it as an attack on the busy housewives.

Here in my country, we still haven't become slaves of huge supermarkets in which you don't really know what lurks in the food you are buying. We still have open green-markets where we buy fresh produce from farmers and smaller producers.

Helen Ginger said...

I had heard about this movie, but forgotten it. I'll have to look for it in the video store.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Mary, it's probably better for you.

Covert beef - I like that, Rayna!

Julie and Grammy, it's far more than beef - it's about everything we eat.

Jayne, he wasn't exaggerating!

Good for you, Miller!

Nicole, 'toxin-riddled' is an accurate description. I backed off cow products when I first started hearing about the growth hormones. That was kinda creepy. And yes, there is a big trend towards natural and organic. (And ironically, big business owns most of that too...)

Raquel, the movie even addresses the Oprah incident!

No, Dez, you're right. It's sad how everything we eat here comes processed and packaged. Hope your country doesn't fall prey to our bad habits.

That said, I'm suddenly craving pizza...

Raquel Byrnes said...

Military brats...yay!

Jay Watson said...

I'm convinced now, after reading your post Alex, to go and see this DVD (my son has been trying to get me to watch it; but what does he know:) ). Thanks for the info!

Carol Kilgore said...

We're having beef for dinner tonight. From the supermarket. And I'm munching on Fritos. I know. Food slob.

Jemi Fraser said...

I haven't seen this one either - looks really interesting!

Wanda said...

Hmmm...ignorance is bliss I guess. Love the beef.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Not telling me anything I don't already know!

Lisa said...

AMEN - I know this is an awesome film and can't wait to see it after your review. I held back because I feared scenes of animal cruelty. I am not vegetarian, but am disgusted by how chickens and cows are treated and I've seen more of that than I would ever have wished. I could go on a rant, but will stop here and say THANK YOU for posting this. I hope people will watch it and be better informed about their food choices.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I'm not organic, but I am a science fiction and fantasy writer. We have that much in common. I wish you luck in finding publication.

If you're of a mind and the inclination, come check out my blog, WRITING IN THE CROSSHAIRS. Out of courtesy only, I am providing a link to my blog :
http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/

Have a productive tomorrow, Roland

Anonymous said...

My wife and I watched Food Inc. and were blown away, although we knew much of the material. I think it was the visual and interviews that really brought the message home.

Stephen Tremp

Unknown said...

Great post. I've wanted to see that movie. I was just a little hesitant. Now I think I'm gonna go watch it on Netflix. Thanks for sharing.

Hannah said...

That's been on my queue as well. I hardly eat meat because of there books I've read and documentaries I've seen. I prefer organic but because that gets expensive, I usually just eat vegetarian unless I go out. We have a great restaurant out here that serves local organic beef and chicken.

Thanks for the review though. I will probably enjoy this one.

Anonymous said...

We bought a freezer a couple years ago and bought a quarter of a local beef -- the price was just a little more expensive than buying supermarket hamburger.

The movie has a lot good to say -- I was especially moved by the bit about chickens and eggs. Cage free doesn't mean free range.

My husband, on the other hand, was irritated with the spin -- the creepy music, the bits chosen for interviews and commentary -- he felt manipulated instead of just presented with the facts.