Helping The Harm

It doesn't make sense that during the years where working conditions at America's meat packing industry became more dangerous, where line speeds increased and illegal immigrants were replacing skilled workers that the enforcement of health and safety laws would be reduced. It seems that during a time when these laws are needed more than ever, the government loosens the leash on an industry that needs to have a watchful eye on more than ever before. The whole process of inspecting companies and employees is sketchy and unreliable. Firstly, OSHA inspects the typical American employee once every eight years-- A LOT can happen in one year, imagine eight! Also, these inspectors don't arrive unannounced, but merely look at the company's injury log before even going inside-- if the percentage of injuries logged was less than the national average, the inspector would leave without inspecting the plant, examining equipment, or conversing with any employees. Not only is this absurd, but the company officials are the people who keep and maintain these logs. I'm sorry, but these people just aren't trustworthy and are more than likely to lie, altering these logs in order to avoid inspection. I wouldn't even ask why they'd do this because I"m pretty sure that they have A LOT to hide. Not to be too forward, but the fast food industry is on my shit list, and the government is making is way too easy for these people to be dishonest and harmful to the consumer and the health of consumer. The way I see it, they are helping these companies to harm people.

King Curtis

"Chicken Nuggets Is Like My Family"

Fast Food Nation discussion the illusion that chicken nuggets are of a healthier choice on the McDonalds menu, but the healthiness of them are "illusory." This stuck out to me, because in truth, most claimed "healthy foods" today are not truly healthy. Schlosser details how a chemical study done by Harvard Medical School showed that chicken nuggets' "fatty acid profile"more closely resembled beef than poultry. This was attributed to the chicken nuggets being cooked in beef tallow. Although McDonalds changed this cooking process by using vegetable oil instead (while still adding beef extract), they contain twice as much fat per ounce than a hamburger. I find it incredible that the creation of the seemingly simple chicken nugget completely changed the industry of raising and processing poultry. It's also crazy to think that nearly 20 years ago chickens were sold whole, but are now cut into pieces, cutlets, or nuggets before being sold. All of this talk of chicken nuggets reminded me a boy who was on television, Curtis, or better known as "King Curtis." Curtis not only loves eating fried food, especially fried meats, he absolutely loves chicken nuggets. He went so far as to make the statement-- "chicken nuggets are like my family." Although this scene was hilarious, especially with his southern accent, it makes you realize how this industry, as well as chicken nuggets have affected the children and consumer of today. On the show, Curtis asked for chicken nuggets for breakfast and nearly every meal. The thought of eating chicken nuggets all of the time is sickening, unhealthy and gross. People should eat to live, not live to eat, and food should not under circumstance be considered family.