by Eric Schlosser
reviewed by Lizie Li
Fast Food Nation, which is written by Eric Schlosser, reveals the dark side of the all-American meal. By focusing on the life and working conditions of employee and specific mechanizations of such a big industry, the author points out the dangers behind the best-tasted meals.
What is the most dangerous job in the US ten years ago? Is it construction laborers, truck drivers, or loggers? No, it is those who work for meatpacking industry. They are in a world that has been deliberately hidden; they work in a hot and humid environment no matter if they get sick. Because meatpacking workers are under tremendous pressure not to report injuries, the secret has been kept for a long time. The “inhumane slaughter”, which has the highest injury rate at fast food industry, actually makes me surprised and scared.
What is in the most delicious food? It is hard to imagine that what we beloved and trust becomes an ideal system for new pathogen. People begin to focus on how their food is produced because of the outbreak in foodborne illnesses. As a result, Supreme Beef Processors, one of the nation’s largest suppliers to the school meals program, challenges the legality of scientific tests for bacteria. In order to reduce this kind of cases, Schlosser also suggests that Congress should pass tougher food safety laws, and protect American workers from serious harm.
What fast food brings to us? We cannot deny that fast food industry makes a big influence to world—it is not only the representation of America, but also a combination of multiple cultures. Increasingly people begin to accept fast food such as McDonald’s, which is really a meaningful step for all human beings. However, another thing fast food brings to us is the expansion of our waistlines. What has changed is the nation’s way of eating and living. The United States now has the highest obesity rate of any industrialized nation in the world. By the time enjoying the fast food, we need to spend more time to concern about our health problems.
Nobody in the United States is forced to buy fast food. For the public health, people need to eat less fast food, or even stop buying it. I really love McDonald’s, which brings me back to my childhood—“giant” Coca Cola, McNuggets, fries, and the special fragrance in the restaurants, but they are actual bad for me. As a response, the fast food chains must follow strict specifications, regarding their food and workers.
After finishing this non-fiction book, I begin to care more about my daily diet. I feel so fortunate to choose this book, which guides me to a right way of eating—getting rid of fast food, and having healthy meals. I love what Schlosser recounts, and what his attitude towards the dark-side of this powerful empire. I believe that there are still other secrets need to be revealed, but I am more willing to see all of us have the best lifestyle. Nevertheless, wherever we are, even in this fast food station, we can still have it our way.
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