The author lists a number of straightforward, common sense reform ideas that would begin to transform the food industry in the U.S. into one that focused on the health and well-being of its citizens, rather than the profits and market-share of the agri-business giants.
Anyone doubting there is a long way to go before this happens should have a look at the documentaries Food, Inc (http://www.foodincmovie.com/) and SuperSize Me (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/), or read the article in the url below. Some highlights of the proposed reforms:
“End government subsidies to processed food. We grow more corn for livestock and cars than for humans, and it's subsidized by more than $3 billion annually; most of it is processed beyond recognition. … Total agricultural subsidies in 2009 were around $16 billion.”
“Break up the U.S. Department of Agriculture and empower the Food and Drug Administration. … Food-related deaths are far more common than those resulting from terrorism, yet the F.D.A.'s budget is about one-fifteenth that of Homeland Security.”
“Mandate truth in labeling. Nearly everything labeled ''healthy'' or ''natural'' is not. It's probably too much to ask that ''vitamin water'' be called ''sugar water with vitamins,'' but that's precisely what real truth in labeling would mean.”
In short:
“… food and everything surrounding it is a crucial matter of personal and public health, of national and global security. At stake is not only the health of humans but that of the earth.”
Take care
David
Instructor Teaching Site: http://www.sagepub.com/strategiccsr/
The library of CSR Newsletters are archived at: http://strategiccsr-sage.blogspot.com/
A Food Manifesto for the Future
By MARK BITTMAN
860 words
2 February 2011
The New York Times
Late Edition - Final
23
