A New Film Promises to Expose the Food Industry

The Toronto Film Festival finished up last week with a new documentary by producer/director Robert Krenner, entitled FOOD, INC. taking much of the attention.

The tagline comes: “You’ll never look at dinner the same way.”

The synopsis:  “FOOD, INC…lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that’s been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA.”

It’s a foreboding statement that’s certain to raise contention as concerns surrounding food quality/quantity increasingly occupies the public.  The question is whether the film will bring enlightenment or paranoia?

Judging solely by the tagline it’s a tough call, although the full synopsis hints to discussions incorporating consumer health, the American farmer, obesity, bacterial illnesses, hormones and the government.

Making cameos in the film are Eric Schlosser (who is also a co-producer) author of “Fast Food Nation” and devout supporter of the Slow Food Movement, and Michael Pollan author of ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma”.

Fittingly, the FDA last week proposed new regulations involving genetically engineered animals.

According to the report in the NY Times, the proposal could “pave the way for commercialization of creatures like fast-growing salmon, environmentally friendlier pigs, cattle resistant to mad cow disease, and animals with meat containing healthier nutrients.”

As the world’s food output shortfalls the demand, resulting in surging food costs and the perpetuation of malnutrition and hunger, proponents of genetically modified food have position in their debate.

However, despite the world’s circumstances, the acceptance of genetically engineered food faces increased opposition – that will continue to spike – as consumers’ education on diet and health steadily evolves.

Could it be possible Krenner’s raved documentary will offer new perspective as opposed to old paranoia?

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