Film Summary And Film Analysis: Food Inc.

That salad with the GMO-induced tomatoes that are the size of one’s head. If we as a society ever want to change this rapidly growing trend of eating foods produced by the industrial food system, this one simple rule should be followed: consumers should challenge what food corporations promote as “normal” because part of their process may be unethical and there are alternatives to the industrial food system that may better one’s lifestyle.

Consumers should learn more about where their food comes from and how it is produced. As can be seen in the documentary Food Inc., a lot of the food we consume comes from somewhere else in the world. In today’s society, it is considered normal to not care about if the fruit at the market is locally grown

or imported from other countries. However, one can make a much more informed decision if they read the label and knew if it was in season. By doing this, the consumer gains the power of choosing what they eat, and not the food corporations. Furthermore, Stacey Gibson’s “This Looks Like a Farm” proves that the animals consumed on a daily basis are being treated horribly before they reach the dinner plate. She talks about a pig named Gracie, who was “lucky enough” to contract a leg infection in order to be rescued. Gibson says this because otherwise, Gracie would have suffered in a “two-by-seven-foot steel cage” and be forced to produce babies all her life. This conveys that consumers should question these unethical practices that food corporations get away with each and every day. With all the power to buy what one wants, one should consider these factors before buying from the industrial food system again.

There are many alternatives provided to consumers today that do not have to come from the industrial food system. The major corporations have brainwashed consumers into believing that they are limited to products sold by them because they are the cheapest or most convenient. Why fight the system, right? Consumers should have the ability to dig a little deeper and find alternatives that will better suit their budget and lifestyle. For example, becoming organic has gained more popularity in the recent years. 10 years ago, one may have seemed odd for only choosing the organic foods at the supermarket, but today it is different. Due to the fact that there were people who challenged social norms and became educated about their food, they found a better choice for themselves. This shows how everyone has the possibility to obtain more freedom when it comes to their food, eliminating the dominance of the industrial food system.

It must be remembered that no mater if one chooses the juicy burger and the giant tomatoes in the salad, it should remain one’s choice. The big food corporations are powerful for a reason: they provide tons of cheap products that look appealing, and society has conformed to this idea of “buy cheap, get more.” Although this may seem like the only option, it does not have to be this way. As can therefore be seen, everyone should experience the satisfaction of defying what is deemed socially acceptable.