Fast Food Nation
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Tags:
- Started reading:
- 29th November 2007
- Finished reading:
- 4th December 2007
Review
Rating: 7
Eric Schlosser presents comprehensive view of what our fast food nation has become both positive and negative. Though, the negatives certainly out weigh the positives.
One thing to note, and this is particularly frightening….BIG TIME. The book was published in 2001 and is based on data mostly from the late 90’s. All of the comments he makes and stories concerning food safety in Chapter 9 ARE STILL TRUE!!! Eric uses the Hudson Foods recall of 35 million pounds contaminated hamburger meat in 1997 as a primary example the problem with our meat processing industry. Ten years later (September 2007) Topps Meat Co. closed as direct result of the recall of 21.7 million pounds of contaminated hamburger.
IN BOTH CASES, and it remains true today – the USDA does NOT have the regulatory authority to order a recall. It can ONLY consult with the company. Recalls are voluntary and at the discretion of the company.
To quote Schlosser ” Today the U.S. government can demand the nationwide recall of defective softball bats, sneakers, stuffed animals, foam-rubber toy cows. But it cannot order a meatpacking company to remove contaminated, potentially lethal ground beef from fast food kitchens and super market shelves.”