The Effects of Over-processed Foods in the United States - Essay Example

The Effects of Over-processed Foods in the United s Around 1979, food processing exploded, with cropping up of jobs for people to create foodslike breakfast cereals, crackers, sausages, and pasta increasing. At the same time, poverty rates rose from 12 to 20 percent (Patel 72). “According to the documentary “Food Inc”, about 90% of processed foods in supermarkets contain either corn or soy ingredients as forms of additives (Bernard, 2006). The processed foods marketed in the United States are contributing to major health effects of obesity and wasting money, yet at the same time boosting the economy through job creation. Coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer are the most commonly caused chronic diseases” (Leak),. “These diet-related diseases are also the four leading causes of death in America.” The cost of these health effects have sky rocketed as well. Obesity-related health issues make up approximately 10 percent of healthcare bills and the growth could double in about a decade (Oliver). What’s more, today, 1.02 billion people are undernourished (Robert). The limited choices of food in our supermarkets mostly contain sugar and salt and have little nutritious value (Patel 13), which has resulted in malnourishment of people and can be attributed to lack of nutrients in our food sources. Over-processed foods are known to result in high calories due to an overload of fats, sugars, and salts; in return, they are low in vitamins or any other beneficial nutrients. These foods alter the way our bodies react to feeling full and regrettably, we tend to eat more than our bodies need (Nestle). More so, the effects of these high caloric and sugar loaded fat foods have produced many diet-related diseases in many countries that consume foods produced in the United States. It doesn’t seem to be a coincidence that the closer Mexican residents live to the United States the more overweight they are, or that India sadly became the leading diabetic country after they started to consume American sugary drinks (Patel 11, 12). In addition, junk food advertisements heavily target children, which is a contributing cause to the increase of child illnesses. The increase in diet-related diseases has labeled what was previously termed ‘adult onset’ diabetes into Type II diabetes, and child obesity jumped 11.1% from 1989 to 1997 (Patel 275, 276). These studies show that now, more than ever, the government needs to promote policy and environmental changes to limit and decrease over-processed foods, but still consider the benefits that accrue as a result of these foods. Since invention of processed foods, people directed their time towards microwavable dinners and tasty preserved artificial snacks instead of home cooked meals from local ingredients (Patel 269). As soldiers needed fast, travel-safe foods, the introduction of these processed foods came as a real blessing to them. During the war many women went to work, creating little time to cook at home (Patel 269). Continuing into the 1970’s, soy, corn and cattle became the staple food products when the age of canned, frozen and boxed foods became easily accessible. Most of these products turned into low fat and low-carb foods, which allow large food industries to sell unhealthy foods masked as healthy foods. Red meat consumption in the United States has then continued to rise with 58% of citizens consuming it. In 2003-2004, the consumption of processed red meat was averaged at 128 grams per day, with variations in race, gender, education and age. From 1970-2007, the red meat consumption dropped slightly from 105-85g/cap/d while poultry doubling from 25-55g/cap/d. The nutritional value of a granola bar in another case more closely resembles a candy bar than granola (Bittman). These foods are easily accessible and marketed to make people believe they are getting a sufficient amount of nutrition while on-the-go. Unfortunately, the public is not aware of the true ingredients that are used to make these foods. What do cookies, Coca-cola, and breads in supermarkets all have in common? The answer: high-fructose corn syrup (Finkelstein and Zuckerman 25), which was introduced into the American food supply in the 1970s and has since resulted in high levels of obesity, disease rates as well as lowest life expectancy of any nation that is industrialized. Being therefore that the high fructose corn syrup is cheaper than sugar; many Americans have opted for it at the expense of their health. “Nearly 10 percent of the total U.S. corn crop is processed for high-fructose corn syrup” (Patel 124). Corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup has become a staple since 1970 in American junk food because they keep products more moist and fresher longer (Aldridge). This is partially due to the fact that food manufacturers and government subsidies for certain crops like corn and soybeans are able to control, and contribute to, the ingredients that are processed into the items of food that we eat (Finkelstein and Zuckerman 24, 25). The cheaper the food and the longer the shelf life, the easier it is to sell (Finkelstein and Zuckerman 22). High-fructose corn syrup contributes to the large increase of diabetes and overweight children in the U.S. In the last three decades obesity in the United States has doubled (Finkelstein and Zuckerman XI). Since the inception of these highly processed foods, food costs; in terms of both money and preparation costs have been slowly dropping due to the lower cost of high fructose corn syrup as compared to sugar that was being used earlier as a sweetener. From 1960, the price of food compared with other goods has decreased by about 16 percent. Since 1978, food prices have dropped 38 percent with relation to the prices of other goods. But what is even more relevant is the fact that high calorie foods have become much cheaper compared with healthier alternatives such as fish, fruits, and vegetables (Finkelstein and Zuckerman 21). Food corporations have continued to profit from the cheaply made foods sold at supermarkets at large quantities. Rich buyers and sellers are the gatekeepers of the players in the food system. They are the very few and rich people in control of how much is produced, how much it costs, and where it is sold. Food-processors’ revenues in 2007 were $1.3 trillion, while many farmers were having trouble keeping their rights and consumers were struggling to eat well (Patel 20, 21, 23). In this market some large companies’ large incomes are greater than some small-midsize countries. These gatekeepers to the food industry are highly benefited by the decisions made to produce cheap food and ensure that food security for these cheap highly processed foods is boosted so that the consumers do not have their lives at stake upon consumption; while consumers and farmers struggle to live affordably and healthy. Even though these companies realize they may be at fault for the large amount of health issues, it’s unlikely that they will try to improve public health if they aren’t benefitted in some way (Choi). And though the progression of local, organic foods is starting to take off, the struggle to fight off diet-related diseases strongly stems from over-processed foods. The health benefits of cutting on processed foods could be exponential. The introduction of high fructose corn syrup in our food has led to an increase in high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and obesity (Choi), which upon dropping could restore the declining health rates that have been so far experienced in the United States. There have been a few attempts to obtain promotions for healthy foods to be more accessible. ‘The Farm Bill’ in 2008 was supposedly introduced to create healthier, more sustainable foods systems and to better the nation’s public health and communities. The Farm Bill is mainly in place to fund nutritional food and supports programs like SNAP, which provides food stamps for low-income children and the elderly. Unfortunately, in 2013, popular programs have been removed and could affect the ability of the poor to buy healthy fruits (Zulauf). Local government changes can reduce the effects of obesity which is through providing public awareness on obesity; how it comes about as well as the prevention measures and its effects, so that the public can figure out ways of dealing with the lifestyle disease. Monsanto benefits when they sell to larger crop organizations, but they can’t make much money and have a strong business if countries deny them business through banning of the processed foods that seem to bring a lot of profits to them (Patel 162). According to the Non GMO Project Organization, Australia, Japan, and the European Union have all decided to join together in a total of 60 countries that have banned selling GM products (GMO Facts-Frequently Asked Questions).Monsanto now has a reason to smile after in the United States, the ‘Monsanto Protection Act’ was signed this year in March by President Obama authorizing them to continue with the production of genetically engineered and ultra-processed foods which could in turn have the country keep on experiencing the health problems associated with the consumption of these processed foods. However, according to the Huffington Post, Senator Jeff Merkely purposed an amendment in March of 2013, which would remove the ‘Monsanto Protection Act,’ that stops judges from enforcing bans on genetically modified seeds regardless if the seeds are unhealthy or dangerous for the general public (Grim), creating confusion as to whether the country’s health is given first priority or the job opportunity sector. In order to make big strides in producing healthier foods, there are certain factors that need to be executed. Buying seasonal, local, organic foods that have lower sugar levels as well as calories that could put the health of the nation at stake is a proactive way to start the change in momentum of the food industry, and snap the food system’s bottleneck. By cutting off subsidies to agribusinesses, it would cut off industrial farming from subsidized carbon that it receives from fossil and bio-fuels and result in major policing of monopolies that exploit consumers and producers and anti-trust legislation; a law intended to promote free competition in the market place by outlawing monopolies. Taxing processed food to show the harm it has on the public will reflect the public and environmental health costs it comes with. Efforts to remove these foods from schools and banning certain additives leads to successful pressure put upon the government to decrease the amount of power held by agribusinesses (Patel 320). Many countries have been proactive in fighting against the over-processing of foods. For example, in the late 1970’s Finland had been consuming large amounts of salt, more than two teaspoons of a salt a day. The country developed a huge issue with high blood pressure with Finnish men having the highest rate of heart disease in the world, caused in part by processed foods. Deciding to change this issue, the Finnish men went straight for the food manufacturers, providing a warning label to every grocery item with a high salt content that said “High Salt Content”. This resulted in dropping of the consumption of salt by a third in 2007, accompanied by a 75 to 80 percent drop in the number of deaths from strokes and heart disease (Moss). By integrating these types of acts into the United States, consumers and farmers could gain back some of their rights in the food industry. Changes to reduce and label foods that contain large amounts of added sugar, fat, salt, and ultra-processed foods also have the potential to reduce obesity and diet-related diseases that have crippled the country as well as its economy. In order for consumers and farmers to gain control over the food industry it is important to commit to income redistribution so that all people, young or old can access good, healthy food. Reaching this goal involves the support of a sustainable architecture of food (Patel 319, 320). Small communities for instance can start by developing healthy choices in markets and restaurants (Pomeranz) through trying to omit some of the unhealthy ingredients in the foodstuffs for the health benefits of the consumers. As discussed earlier, buying local, seasonal, organic food is a strong step to turning the food industry as these kinds of foods are free of high salt levels and sweeteners that have proven risky to the public health. Consumers learning to shop diligently for organic and all natural foods, with limited packaging can help set the tone for what consumers want to see more on the shelves in stores, and have them insist on looking for short ingredient lists that they are familiar with; and steer clear of additives like food coloring, thickeners and added vitamins that could cause health issues to your body. Agro-ecological farming has proven to be spreading well, but it’s going to take more than just organic farming to change the health and eating habits of people. Our food system isn’t just causing health issues; it’s causing poverty, especially amongst farmers, and their rights to bargain (Patel 318, 319). (I edited the whole of this paragraph) It therefore dawns on us that government support and individual community efforts across the United States, could resolve many food issues. Proactive communities have the power to decrease the effects of over-processed foods. But on a larger scale it is vital that the federal government starts to realize they have little choice but to promote better environmental changes and need to regulate processed foods in order to stem the deaths caused by our Western diet. “In order to become food sovereign we can’t…rely on knee-jerk reasoning to explain hunger and obesity” (Patel 322). In order to change the food system, we have to ask questions about the food system and educate ourselves about the resources used to produce the food, the conditions from where our food comes from, and of course, we need to know if the food has been genetically modified and over-processed (Patel 322, 323). These are simple questions that can help reduce health issues from “food” that is processed, crushed, and enhanced to no longer become food. Perhaps, slowly but surely, with the help of small communities nations wide, the government will have no choice but to be in favor of the majority preferences of quality food. 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