Food, Inc. Discussion Guide - TakePart

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companies may increase profitability by using lower-cost ingredients (Chapter4), minimizing labor costs through automation and other means (Chapter 5),consolidating operations (Chapter 6), or curtailing competition (Chapter 7).This film chapter focuses on ways in which the food industry influences laws andregulations to protect their earnings. It presents food libel laws, food labelinglaws, and patent laws as specific examples.Food libel laws, also known as food disparagement laws, have been passed inthirteen states and make it illegal to disseminate misinformation about foods.They also make it easier for food companies to sue critics. In 1999, OprahWinfrey was famously sued by Texas beef producers for questioning the safety ofhamburger meat.Food labeling laws mandate that certain information be printed on a product’slabel, such as a listing of ingredients, nutrition data, and allergy information. Anew labeling law went into effect in March 2009, requiring most fresh meats andsome other foods to list where they originated. The food industry tends to fightthese laws as burdensome and as giving the impression of a problem.Patent laws protect intellectual property and have been used by agribusinessesto defend the ownership of genetically modified seeds (see the BackgroundInformation of Chapter 7 for more information).The film mentions a so-called Cheeseburger Law, which was passed byCongress in 2004. This law, formerly called the Personal Responsibility in FoodConsumption Act, makes it illegal to sue food companies for obesity and otherhealth effects of eating junk foods. Touted as preventing frivolous lawsuitsagainst the industry, the law also enables food companies to avoid revealingpossibly damning evidence about their practices, as had happened when lawsuitswere brought against tobacco companies. 22 Simon, Michele (2004, April 1). “‘Big food’ lawsuits can help trim America’s waistline,” Pacific News Service,New America Media. http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=46522d2cbbce7094682c78c8dad20704.8 0F o o d , I n c . D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E© P a r t i c i p a n t M e d i a
One of the issues of regulation pointed out by the film is that regulatory agenciesand the industry often hire employees from the same pool. Since governmentregulators need people knowledgeable about the industry, they may hire formerindustry executives; since the industry needs people knowledgeable aboutregulation, they may hire former regulators. Reasonable and impartial regulationis possible under these circumstances, but it can be challenging for regulators toremain objective when they may know people in the industry.The film portrays the food industry as intentionally drawing a “veil” to keeppeople in the dark about their food and how it is produced. Some would arguethat keeping certain information from consumers is necessary for the smoothfunctioning of our food system, which is so vital to all of us. They might say thatcompanies should be able to guard valuable trade secrets; minimize unnecessaryfear in consumers, which could create panic; and keep costs down by blockingfrivolous lawsuits. However, others would argue that the “veil” does more thanprotect the food system—it protects companies at the expense of consumers.They might say that short-term profit is valued over health, safety, and theenvironment, which are also necessary for a sustainable food system.O p e n e rBefore showing this film chapter, pose the following to students: Some of us havefoods we don’t particularly care for, but many of us have foods or ingredients weare truly afraid of. Consider what kinds of foods or ingredients are you afraid toeat and why. Ask volunteers to share their responses.S o c r at i c D i s c u s s i o nF o c u s Q u e s t i o nShould a company have the power to decide what information to giveconsumers about the food it produces?8 1F o o d , I n c . D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E© P a r t i c i p a n t M e d i a
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L e t t e r f r o m Z e n o b i a B
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U s i n g t h i s G u i d eThis gui
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N at i o n a l S ta n d a r d s C o
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g Analyze the extent to which group
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About SocraticDiscussionsFood, Inc.
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to a deeper understanding of the is
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A s s e s s i n g S o c r at i c D
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2 2F o o d , I n c . D I S C U S S
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In this factory farming model, a si
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• If we are in consensus that eve
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S t u d e n t H a n d o u tL u n c
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Page 39 and 40: c h a p t e r 3Unintended Consequen
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Page 60 and 61: R e f l e c t i o nThe film describ
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Page 71 and 72: C h a p t e r 7From Seed to theSupe
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Page 87 and 88: c h a p t e r 9Shocks to the System
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Page 96 and 97: ResourcesFor additional information
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Page 102 and 103: A b o u t P a r t i c i p a n t M e
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Food, Inc. Discussion Guide - TakePart

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