Fast Food

6 Pages 1383 Words

Many different groups and organizations have been criticizing the fast food industry and attacking large corporate empires that control the industry. The critics of the fast food and its industry claim the products sold by MacDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and other fast food chains are of poor quality and unhealthy. Apparently, a number of studies have proved that people who often consume fast food, as a result, suffer from obesity, high cholesterol and early strokes. Furthermore, these fast food chains are even blamed for epitomizing fast food into American Culture via their acute advertising plans and sponsorships. However, the critics neglect that many people who consume fast food on regular basis are not very concerned with their health or the aftermath of such diet. These people eat fast food because it is convenient, affordable and accessible. After reading of three chapters in the Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, my attitudes towards fast food, its ingredients and the industry did not change.
With all the negative criticisms surrounding the fast food industry and their products, I highly doubt that presently there is a single person who would argue fast food is a “healthy and nutritious meal”. Everyone is aware that French Fries and burgers contain high percentage of fat and “natural flavors”. Schlosser’s arguments in the chapters “Why the Fries Taste So Good and What’s in the Meat” are well known. General public might not be familiar with all the details he presents about “natural flavors” and flavor enhancing products in food; but, certainly, most people know that almost nothing on the food market today is one hundred percent natural. Thus, FDA requires companies to disclose any artificial supplements or flavors on the back of each product. In order to make the buyer alert of what is being sold. Yet, despite this knowledge, people still view fast food’s meals not only as “a harmless occasional i...