FOOD, Inc - anyone watched it?

[zigfam4]

I've been reading about this DVD and I'm tempted to rent it but not sure if I can handle the slaughter-house scenes. Has anyone watched this? If so, can you tell me how graphic it gets. I'm more interested in knowing about the whole food industry scheme and how it's shoving local farmers / growers out of the market.

 

[Nayan]

I think it should be mandatory viewing, but that is mho. Fast food started mass production of all our food, and today a good percentage of what you see in the stores are from only 4 companies. It is a really good film and even though I get squeamish at the sight of anything I wasn't bothered by it.

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

It did make me squimish and I didn't want to eat for weeks.. I think it is a must see as well!! I won't buy meats (and other products) at the grocery store anymore. (from info in this movie and many other sources) It is definately an eye opener.

 

[Denier]

Great Movie.

After Viewing I started buying Farm Fresh,Raised in the sun chicken.

It looks as good as it tastes...Waaaay Better.

Cost almost same too.

 

[mjaclyn]

My husband and I saw it and it isn't pretty... I've been trying to buy more organic meats, dairy and produce since reading Fast Food Nation and watching Food, Inc. The stuff that goes on is scary...especially with the beef. I know going organic can be extremely expensive, but I read online about items that are more important than others to buy organic if you can't completely make the switch. I make sure to buy organic milk and try to find organic meat when I can. I also use Eggland's Best Eggs which are MUCH healthier for you than regular eggs. I would recommend seeing Food, Inc to anyone, even if it's just to open their eyes to where our food really comes from.

 

[cinderella73]

We saw it a week back and have since gone from being above average in our consumption of processed food to being above average in our organic intake.

I basically gave away or threw out most of what we had. We were suprised that it was a lot easier to go all natural than we thought.

I had known for years there had to be a reason for my daughter to have hypothyroidism and my sons PN allergies. I knew it wasnt something natural and I had heard years back about a link to genetically altered soybeans causing the rapid increase in PN allergies. But never really knew much detail.

After watching the movie something told me to do some research. I was frozen stone cold still with what I came across. I fed my kids Isomil soy based infant formula as babies . They had a slight milk intolerance and I was told this was a good healthy formula. Well guess what? It was tested positive for the Monsanto genetically altered soybeans ( round up ready they are called) . They can be doused with pesticide and will not die and the company owns 90% of the soybean farms in America. This was in my babys formula. There were many studies that had shown a link to both hypothyroidism and PN allergies due to how our bodies reacted to this "not of nature" soybean.

But here is the kicker.. The company that makes the infant formula also makes Synthroid. So they can help " fix" you after you get sick.

The realization of what was going on and the fact that that soybean and tons of other GMO's were in everything in our house ( even produce was not safe)woke me up fast. I know now that if I buy any processed foods made with these ingredients I am putting money into the pockets of the people that affected my kids health. That I cannot stomach.

Its only been a week since we started this but I expect all our health will improve. We are learning that so far we stink at making bread but we havent given up yet! Its a adventure but we are so glad we woke up to what was going on. We had nooo idea. Most people dont. There is a reason a lot of this is kept from us and all I will say on that is if you havent seen the movie you really should.

If you Netflix you can go and watch it free on your computer.

There are also some great sites out there that explain GMO foods and what to look for and what to avoid. I can post some links if anyone is interested.

 

[cinderella73]

I've been reading about this DVD and I'm tempted to rent it but not sure if I can handle the slaughter-house scenes. Has anyone watched this? If so, can you tell me how graphic it gets. I'm more interested in knowing about the whole food industry scheme and how it's shoving local farmers / growers out of the market.

I get grossed our easily but I think they did a good job in getting the point across without alienating people from it. If it had been to yucky I couldnt have watched it. Its just enough for you to realize the point but they dont show you anything to graphic.

 

[princessmom29]

It is not completely accurate. I worked in the food industry as a nutrition chemist for 5 years. I have been out of the industry less than 5 years. I worked specifically in chicken, and what they show in the video is nowhere near what actually went on in our day to day operation, and I worked for a top 5 company in that industry. We NEVER gave birds antibiotics unless they were sick, or there was a know bacterial treat in the immediate area. We did NOT use any hormones on our birds. We did vaccinate against the most virulent avian diseases in our area. The conditions they showed on the video are NOT the conditions we kept our birds in. What they don't tell you in the video is that free range birds have twice the incidence of salmonella in thier eggs as house kept chicken, and there is a 50% increase in positive tests for salmonella in meat from free range chicken. The reasons chickens are kept in houses are largely sanitary. The meat and eegs form these birds carry far less harmful bacteria than frre range birds, because the conditions in the house can be controlled. Our birds had room to move and feed, while being in a controlled enviornment. In the 5 years I worked for the company and took random samples daily, I rarely if ever saw birds come in with broken leg bones. I have however seen leg bones broken in processing.

 

[brergnat]

I haven't seen it, but have it on my bookshelf from Netflix. I have mixed opinions on whether to watch it or not.

The TRUTH is, every documentary is skewed towards a specific point of view. It is VERY easy for the information in these films to not be really 100% accurate, but to be passed along as though it is. Someone finances every movie. You have to ask who is paying for it and what does that person/entity stand to gain.

I watch all documentaries with a grain of salt. I plan to see it, but don't plan to change my eating habits much. I eat a combo of organic and non-organic foods. We stick to mostly whole foods, or processed foods with MINIMAL artificial ingredients as well as whole grains. But, I eat some stuff out of a box, and some frozen foods (gasp!). Moderation. Balance. That's what it's about.

We have no major health problems as a family, and I refuse to get caught up in this latest "food fad".

 

[Nayan]

The big question this documentary asks is "do you know where you food comes from?". I like knowing where my lettuce, meat, etc. comes from so I can make the choice to say if I want to buy locally or buy something that was shipped from out of the country. If anything it has made me more aware of what I buy, I read labels more and I can make better choices. Does that mean I am giving up all of my processed foods? Nope, but I can limit them in favor of fresher ingredients.

 

[brergnat]

The big question this documentary asks is "do you know where you food comes from?". I like knowing where my lettuce, meat, etc. comes from so I can make the choice to say if I want to buy locally or buy something that was shipped from out of the country. If anything it has made me more aware of what I buy, I read labels more and I can make better choices. Does that mean I am giving up all of my processed foods? Nope, but I can limit them in favor of fresher ingredients.

I think more people need to read labels, period. If this documentary gets people to do that, then it has done good, imo. I've been reading food packages since I was little (I LOVED reading, and would read everything), and can't imagine that some people don't. All the produce I buy I know where it comes from. A lot of it comes from somewhere near me, since I live in CA and I can literally see the fields where the food comes from.

The problem is, if you limit yourself to "locally grown" foods, you will leave gaping holes in your nutrition profile. The majority does not live close enough to a good enough variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources to live healthfully on JUST local foods. This is the catch 22 of the "buy local" initiative.

 

[princessmom29]

I think more people need to read labels, period. If this documentary gets people to do that, then it has done good, imo. I've been reading food packages since I was little (I LOVED reading, and would read everything), and can't imagine that some people don't. All the produce I buy I know where it comes from. A lot of it comes from somewhere near me, since I live in CA and I can literally see the fields where the food comes from.

The problem is, if you limit yourself to "locally grown" foods, you will leave gaping holes in your nutrition profile. The majority does not live close enough to a good enough variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources to live healthfully on JUST local foods. This is the catch 22 of the "buy local" initiative.

that is definitely the case here. The is no such thing as local meat or a local butcher shop. If you want local meat you have to shoot it and clean it. Lots of people grow their own garden ect, but there are really not any farmer's markets ect where we can buy local. There are produce stands, but they are buynig from a supplier just like grocery stores. Uless you live either very close to an area wher agri-industry is big, or in an affluent area where it is hip and trendy to buy local, so the growers come in and charge and am and a leg your access to locally grown anything is sorely limited.

 

[brergnat]

that is definitely the case here. The is no such thing as local meat or a local butcher shop. If you want local meat you have to shoot it and clean it. Lots of people grow their own garden ect, but there are really not any farmer's markets ect where we can buy local. There are produce stands, but they are buynig from a supplier just like grocery stores. Uless you live either very close to an area wher agri-industry is big, or in an affluent area where it is hip and trendy to buy local, so the growers come in and charge and am and a leg your access to locally grown anything is sorely limited.

Yep, and THAT is how the MAJORITY of Americans are living.

Think about it: red grapes are a WONDERFUL food. They provide great nutrition, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. However, the ONLY place to get them in the winter months (approx. 4 months of the year) are Mexico or Chile. Should everyone go without red grapes for 4 months because they are not "local"? Of course not! You can either buy the red grapes from the "outside" or you can drink (processed) red grape juice. Either is a good option. The documentary makes it seem like NEITHER is a good option...

Grain of salt...

 

[AudreysMom]

I watched Food Inc, listened to the audiobook of Fast Food Nation, and am now reading Food Matters. I am trying to clean up our eating to include more veggies and less processed food. Fast Food Nation was much more graphic than Food Inc.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

A big thing that no one has mentioned yet, it you can get so much healthier just by cooking at home and not eating out as often. Most chain restaurants are so profit driven, they will use the lowest quality product they can get away with. And seeing some of the kitchens they cook in, I wouldn't let my dog eat there.

I remember the last time we went to Golden Corral (a chain buffet for anyone who doesn't have one locally) after not "dining out" for about 6 months prior, and when we got home the race was on for all 4 of us to get to the bathroom. Everyone was sick to their stomach for at least 24 hours until we "flushed" out our systems.

We try to use top shelf ingredients at home (meat, fresh produce, etc.) but our big change came when we gave up eating out. I haven't set foot in a McDonalds in 4 years, and my kids haven't been in one in over 2 (thanks Grandpa!). We eat out 1 time a month at most, and that is usually a good local sitdown restaurant. Of course, there are good restaurants out there, but they are so expensive I can make 3-4 meals at home that are just as good, for the same cost. Everyone should have a crock pot and a few recipes to get started, and just like anything else in life, you will become a better cook with practice. Plus you will know exactly what is in the meal you are eating.

Back on topic, I did see the movie and it was a real eye-opener. I would recommend it, and if it makes you squeamish, that's what it is supposed to do. Also watch "Super Size Me" from Morgan Spurlock for an eye opener on what fast food is doing to us and especially our kids.

 

[princessmom29]

A big thing that no one has mentioned yet, it you can get so much healthier just by cooking at home and not eating out as often. Most chain restaurants are so profit driven, they will use the lowest quality product they can get away with. And seeing some of the kitchens they cook in, I wouldn't let my dog eat there.

I remember the last time we went to Golden Corral (a chain buffet for anyone who doesn't have one locally) after not "dining out" for about 6 months prior, and when we got home the race was on for all 4 of us to get to the bathroom. Everyone was sick to their stomach for at least 24 hours until we "flushed" out our systems.

We try to use top shelf ingredients at home (meat, fresh produce, etc.) but our big change came when we gave up eating out. I haven't set foot in a McDonalds in 4 years, and my kids haven't been in one in over 2 (thanks Grandpa!). We eat out 1 time a month at most, and that is usually a good local sitdown restaurant. Of course, there are good restaurants out there, but they are so expensive I can make 3-4 meals at home that are just as good, for the same cost. Everyone should have a crock pot and a few recipes to get started, and just like anything else in life, you will become a better cook with practice. Plus you will know exactly what is in the meal you are eating.

Back on topic, I did see the movie and it was a real eye-opener. I would recommend it, and if it makes you squeamish, that's what it is supposed to do. Also watch "Super Size Me" from Morgan Spurlock for an eye opener on what fast food is doing to us and especially our kids.

We have recently done what you are doing with eating out. It has been months since i have eaten fast food, and frankly I really don't miss it. My homemade pizza is so much better than take out! We grill a lot. We have discovered that we love grilled veggies. We have never benn ones to keep a lot of junk food at home, but we were just so busy that we fell into the fast food trap. I think we all feel much better for not eating so much processed junk. We still need to eat out occasionally just due to our schedule, but I am much more selective about what it is and wher it comes from. I am much more likely to stop for a rotisserie chicken and a salad at the grocery store than to hit the drive thru.

 

[tzolkin]

It is not completely accurate. I worked in the food industry as a nutrition chemist for 5 years. I have been out of the industry less than 5 years. I worked specifically in chicken, and what they show in the video is nowhere near what actually went on in our day to day operation, and I worked for a top 5 company in that industry. We NEVER gave birds antibiotics unless they were sick, or there was a know bacterial treat in the immediate area. We did NOT use any hormones on our birds.

My parents have a small flock (300-400) of chickens and I can tell you that it's not even possible to buy chick starter feed that is unmedicated anywhere around here. I believe it's standard practice to give medicated feed until they're 6-8 weeks. (My parents choose not to, but have to have their food made.)

We are very fortunate that my parents have the ability to raise a good portion of the meat we consume. They raise heritage-breed chickens (eggs) and lambs that they sell, but also do some grass-fed beef and pork just for our family. Many people think it's disturbing that I know the name of the animal that I'm eating, but films like this make me appreciate the fact that I know exactly where my meat came from.


I guess I really need to rewatch this film. I've had it sitting in our Netflix instant queue to watch with DH (I saw it in the theater). I don't remember there being anything "slaughter-house-ish", graphic, or disgusting about it. I remember thinking that it was more geared toward a mainstream audience and that it was the first time I've ever seen Walmart not depicted as the anti-Christ.

 

[Ava]

I have seen Food Inc and highly recommend it. It's a real eye-opener to exactly where our food comes from and the problems with our food system. Just a warning though, it turned me off of regular supermarket meat completely. When I do get meat now (which is less often) I get it from a farmer's market or our co-op that sells organic meats.

We're not completely off of processed foods, nor have we gone all organic or local, but we are trying to make changes to the way we eat. I make some things from scratch that I used to buy pre-packaged and we don't eat fast food any more. We try to get only organic dairy products and produce for our DD (she doesn't eat meat yet), but aren't as stringent when it comes to our own food. It is more expensive to buy organic/local, but I try to whenever possible. "Voting with my $" so to speak. We joined a CSA for the first time this summer which I'm really excited about - organic, local veggies & fruits from June-October! Harvested the same day we pick them up! Can't get much more fresh than that.

I also highly recommend reading Michael Pollan's books, The Onmivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food. I found the information about the history of "processed" food in the latter very interesting; kind of puts into perspective how we got to this point.

 

[monkeybug]

I hadn't heard of this until now, but I will definitely be adding it to my Netflix que! I agree with a pp that documentary's should be taken with a grain of salt, but it still sounds really interesting.
For those of you who now avoid the grocery store for meat, where do you buy it? All of the organic and grass fed meat around here is expensive!!
We have friends who buy whole cow's from a butcher and split with another family, but I don't think it's organic.
Is there a way to buy better meat AND save money?

 

[Ava]

For those of you who now avoid the grocery store for meat, where do you buy it? All of the organic and grass fed meat around here is expensive!!

I buy it from a farmer's market or our local food co-op. It is expensive, so I just end up eating less meat. It's not difficult for me, since my partner is vegetarian (well, pescatarian - she eats fish) we eat a lot of meatless meals anyway. I only eat meat for dinner once or twice a week, and its just me eating it so we don't need to buy much.