From Today, Vote Thrice a Day

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0

The documentary movie ‘Food Inc.’ has many important messages indeed, though vegetarians and vegans might be disappointed that it doesn’t readily propose the kinder and wiser diets that they support. Am not sure if it’s a strong hint of the filmmakers’ attachment to animal produce (Eric Schlosser, who wrote the book ‘Fast Food Nation’ and the film version, and Michael Pollen, who wrote ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’, are not vegetarians, though they see value in eating less meat), or of their apprehension of audiences’ possible aversion to the greener diet. That said, Food Inc. still offers good literal food for thought.

The scenes that struck me as the most horrifying is that on the increasing mechanisation and thus dehumanisation, of not only animals but humans in the process of producing meat. Both are treated like machines instead of sentient beings. According to the film, way back, the McDonald brothers realised that they could create low wage jobs by getting workers to focus on specific factory-styled tasks – such as doing up a beef patty… again and again. Such positions are not only easy to specialise, they are also easy to replace… like machine parts perhaps?

McDonald’s is among the world’s top demanders for beef. Their sprouting of ever more branches all over the world increases the demand for beef so much that the speed-intense process in the kitchens of their fast food restaurants is mirrored at the kill floor of slaughterhouses. Many of the butchers in America too have minimal wages and even less welfare. In fact, the demand for killing quickly is so high that butchery has become one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Many have lost their limbs in the process. Meat-based fast food is the fast lane to ‘hell’ in more ways than one.

The end titles of the movie urge the audience to eat in season, and to eat local – so as to decrease food mileage and save the environment. We are reminded too that we vote for the food we really want at least three times a day. Organic food (be it plant or animal-based) is also encouraged. Now, I know there is a recent report that organic food is not significantly more nutritious than non-organic food. Not that I think this is surely conclusive all the way, studies should also be done to uncover the harms of long-term consumption of pesticides and antibiotics! Even if going organic doesn’t helps human health, it surely helps animal health and that of the environment and farmers, who are continually poisoned.

We have the right too, to demand better food in schools, work places and restaurants. Consumers must take charge of what they consume; not the suppliers. We can change the world bit by bit… with every bite we take, and with every bite we refuse. One of the title cards suggest that we ought to respect animals, workers and environment collectively. As a vegan, I have to sigh that a golden opportunity to speak up on the value of veg*sm to thousands, if not millions of movie-goers has been missed. Veganism is the way to go in terms of diet, to fully demonstrate respect for the trio. Once there is exploitation for a single drop of milk, for a single nugget of flesh, it is already loss of respect. Baby steps, I guess, towards kinder diets, is better than none at all. The film’s website does suggest going meatless a day a week. 1/7 of a ‘Yay’!

For more takeaway tips from Food Inc. :
http://takepart.com/foodinc
(See book below)
Film Review: Life & Death in a ‘Fast Food Nation’:
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=12,4337,0,0,1,0
(See book and movie links below)

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