Michael Moss does a wonderful job describing the sciences junk food companies use to get us to buy their products in his article “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food”. First Moss uses solid facts to describe how junk food companies make their food sell. Secondly he proves that he is very knowledgable about the topic of his article, and that he conducted intensive research and interviews to gain the knowledge. Lastly Moss does a good job of making the article interesting by doing things such as providing facts, dialogue, and questions to keep your attention. Moss’ use of solid facts help describe and give the reader insight on the extremes of what junk food companies will go through to sell and make their products desirable.
Ever since the technology evolution inspired by the rise of military-industrial complex, the government and private corporations funded millions of research with the goal to improve people’s welfare. With such noble ambition in mind, Eisenhower reminds us in his last speech that intellectual and capitalism should be independent. Research for the purpose of welfare improvement should not be hinder or delay by any other special interest. However, in today food industry, research for health improvement are pushed aside by research for sales enhancement. Funded by corporations who sole interest is to increase their profit, Pollen claims that many “food scientists spend their days designing the future of food- its flavor, texture, and packaging (92).”
The amount of unhealthy food consumed in America goes well beyond McDonalds. In fact, you have to go no farther than your local grocery store to find equally as terrible food choices. For example, in recent years the government has put out warnings against eating fat in excess, which lead many big food companies, from yogurt to Wheat Thins, to send out new products with “less fat”. However, products with “less fat” actually have nearly twice as much sugar. Many studies have shown that sugar in excess is much worse than fat.
In “How Junk Food Can End Obesity” David Freedman argues that ending processed food is not going to help solve obesity problems. He knows that “Junk food is bad for you because it’s full of fats and problems carb” (Freedman 515). Freedman believe that we should use technology to improve fast-food by taking out the unhealthy products in it, instead of getting rid of fast-food entirely. He also talks about his experiences with food between wholesome food and McDonald’s. He discusses how McDonald’s smoothies have the lowest calories and are cheapest out of all other smoothies he had.
With that being said, most restaurants and grocery stores are declining industrialized foods, giving the name, “food-like substances.” Freedman feels that it is not a realistic way to stop this obesity epidemic by trying to persuade people into completely changing their habits of eating. Instead, Freedman believes that incorporating better ingredients in processed foods will
Michael Moss makes himself very clear in “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food.” In the beginning, he grabs the reader’s attention by listing a few food brand companies that had C.E.O.’s in attendance for a meeting in 1999. The meeting was to discuss the oncoming obesity epidemic and ways to handle it. He then talks about how it was troubling to people to see obese children that are suffering from diabetes. After reading the background knowledge, it became apparent that this selection is all about the increasing numbers of obesity seen in adults and children across the United States.
Junk food is responsible for the growing rate of obesity. This is outlined by David freedman in his article of “How junk food can end obesity.” David Freedman has credited the “health-food” motion, and followers of it along with Michel Pollan. Freedman claims that if the America desires to stop the obesity epidemic, or at least reduce its effects, they must shift to the fast meals and processed meals enterprise for assist, now not the “health-food” movement.
Although it is the goal for producers to provide tasteful foods to the consumers, these man-made additives diminish the power of complete organic and naturally grown foods. The additives remove the spiritual connection between food and the consumer which is the most significant factor in deriving flavor as Masanobu Fukuoka explains in “Living by Bread Alone”. I see Schlosser’s view as one that describes the importance of the entire industry. I agree with him that the industry does contribute a lot to the American culture but it does the large and over reliance of these additives out weigh the contribution to American cuisines. American food has lost it’s food identity in that through the use of additives in its food.
People are constantly manipulated by their environment into making decisions in both daily routine and life-changing decisions. Michael Moss, a journalist, examines how the Junk Food Industry manipulates its users’ stomachs with both marketing and product composition in “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food”. [expand]Similarly, writer Andrew Solomon’s “Son” details how people and their views of others can impact other’s emotions and behaviors.[add to solomon] These forms of manipulation constantly hurt a person’s ability to achieve their personal goals. People find themselves passively guided to making destructive decisions as a result of the environment around themselves.
In Michael Moss’ “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food”, the food consumers’ surroundings are altered in order
1 During the 18th and 19th centuries food for profit became very rampant. Foods such as meat, milk, flour, wine. Beer, coffee, tea, and spices were being mixed with chalk, plaster dirt, and even lead in order for the merchants to save more money while at the same time make money. Due to the high prices and limited supply of certain foods. The poison squad were a group of volunteers organized by Dr. Harvey W. Wiley.
The novel Fast Food Nation and the movie Food Inc. both reflect the reality of the food industry. Mortals consume food everyday but no one really knows what happens behind the production of meat or more revolting, what is inside the food itself. These two sources enlighten consumers’ minds towards the dark side of food production. In some ways, humans, animals, and the environment are affected negatively by the evolution of the food industry. Chemicals are start being used in productions and money seems to be running the law instead of human sense.
The factors such as consuming healthy and obesity have also been a prospect for food chains like Arby’s, which is offering the fresh and customized flavours in sandwiches away from the classic junk foods like burgers/fries and others. Fast food trends change built on what customers want. As said above, through this analysis, healthiness is the emphasis in many countries. This is not only suggested by governmental authorities, but also consumers. Nowadays, there is a growth in in organic and foods as regimes and lifestyle variations come into play.
Junk Food’s author Vicki Cobb examines six typical junk foods – popcorn, corn chips, chocolate, candy, potato chips, and soda. Each section covers facts about why these snacks are addicting. Along with the addicting salt and sugar, each section highlights facts and information that explains why these foods are not the best choice when choosing a snack. Not only is this book packed with information, but it also contains the science behind each food. The scientific information allows the reader to explore each food through an experiment that unravels even more mind blowing information.
Fries With That? Food occupies a special place in humans’ lives; without it, humans’ existence would be unsustainable. What happens when food corporations, in their unending search for profits, are ruled by greed? How can Ivy League Universities make a difference in reducing corporate greed?
