Food, Inc.

Food, Inc. is a critically acclaimed 2008 documentary that explores the murky waters of the American food industry. Co-produced by Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein, the film stars journalist Michael Pollan and author Eric Schlosser, who provide significant insight into the inner workings of an industry that feeds millions across the nation. The movie also features industry figures, such as Richard Lobb, who give the audience a unique insider's perspective.

The film takes a critical look at the nation's food industry, revealing the high price all of us end up paying for cheap food. It examines the shocking realities tied to mass food production and the grim reality that the food industry is controlled by a few mammoth corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health. The documentary is an expose on the industrialized agricultural system, revealing how our food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers, and our environment.

Pollan, a longtime food journalist and professor, and Schlosser, whose book "Fast Food Nation" raised public awareness about the realities of the fast-food industry, elaborate on issues of food sustainability, safety, and labor relations. Both Pollan and Schlosser serve not only as the film's main interviewees, but are also the guiding lights in this exploration of America's food industry, connecting the dots between what the American public consumes and why obesity rates are on the rapid rise.

The documentary uses graphics and footage interspersed with interviews to explain how the food market's capitalistic forces have led to detrimental effects on our health and environment. For instance, it illustrates the problematic reliance on corn, showing how it's found in a wide variety of products, contributing to obesity and health problems.

The film starts with an exploration of the fast-food industry's history, its manipulative advertising strategies, and its impact on agricultural practices. It then delves into the controversial issues surrounding poultry, beef and pork production, exposing the shocking realities tied to the processing of these food products. A significant portion of the documentary is also dedicated to illustrating the injustice and exploitation faced by workers in the agriculture and fast-food industries.

Food, Inc. showcases the stories of farmers caught in the web of the food industry's corporate monopoly, with the character of Richard Lobb serving as a counterweight to the dominating voices of Pollan and Schlosser. Lobb, representing the National Chicken Council, articulates the industry's perspective on matters, such as bioengineered food and the use of antibiotics in poultry production.

One of the most poignant aspects of Food, Inc. is its ability to humanise the issue. Throughout the film, we see faces and hear voices of people on the receiving end of the unethical and unsustainable practices of the food industry. These personal stories are juxtaposed with insights from experts, which deepens viewers' understanding of the magnitude of the problem, sparking deeper introspection about what we eat and why.

The film does more than just expose the grim realities; it also provides viewers with practical advice on how to navigate this broken food system. With on-screen tips throughout the film, viewers learn practical ways to make healthier and more sustainable choices. Food, Inc. ultimately advocates for a more conscious engagement with our food systems - call-to-action for consumers to change the food industry by choosing organic, locally grown and sustainably raised food items.

On its release, Food, Inc. resulted in a seismic shift in the public's perception of the food industry. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary and won numerous film festival awards for its impactful and chilling deconstruction of the American food industry.

Food, Inc. is a film that will change how you look at the food on your plate. By the end of this eye-opening documentary, your grocery shopping trips will never be the same again. All in all, Food, Inc. is an essential viewing for anyone interested in the true cost of what they eat, the corporations controlling the food chain, and how we as consumers can affect change.