I just watched the movie Food Inc. last night.  What a great calling out of a food industry that has gone awry. Here are some highlights.

-The meat industry is controlled by 4-5 large companies. Most of the chicken produced is raised in 24 hour darkness. These chicken houses are overcrowded and unsanitary. Chickens are sitting in their own feces and dead ones need to be removed daily due to disease.

-Cattle feed lots are similar. Although, they may see some of the light of day, they were also up to their knees in feces. They are also fed corn as opposed to their natural diet of grass. This is because corn is subsidized by the U.S. government making it ultra cheap. It also allows the cows to get fatter faster. The problem with corn fed cows is they have less Omega 3's and more pro-inflammatory Omega 6's. This is one reason why the American public now has an Omega 6 to 3 ratio of 20:1. The optimal ratio is 1:1 or 2:1. Could this be why cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America?

-Monsanto has a patent on all the GMO (genetically modified organisms) corn and soy. Since 90-95% of all corn and soy is GMO, they essentially control this whole agriculture market, and the farmers who grow the crops. Former employees of Monsanto and other food industry giants have infiltrated the FDA and the USDA. So these companies now have people working in the very institutions that are supposed to oversee them. That, my friends, is one of the reasons why the government does not require labeling of GMO foods. A former Monsanto attorney, now working for the FDA was instrumental in that decision.

If you get a chance, please watch the movie and take action to change the food industry and the health of this country. Everytime you buy Organic foods or grass fed beef you are making healthy choices for yourself and casting your vote for the food industry to change it's ways. Have a happy and healthy rest of the weekend!

See also: GMO, Monsanto, Food Inc., FDA, USDA, corn, soy, food industry

thanks for the info! what can people with limited means do?! it's like the government is trying to kill off the poor!

It is very difficult for the poor. That is why the general health of people increases with income level. The problem is that the government subsidizes corn making it very, very cheap. This is why the food companies put it in everything.  Virtually all processed foods have some type of corn or soy in them. Look at the ingredients and you will see. There is a problem when you can get a burger at McDonald's for a dollar. It is cheap and it tastes good. Of course, somone with limited means will buy that. That is what is wrong with the system. The government advises us to eat fruits and vegetables, but the politics don't make it economically feasible for some. This has not happened by mistake. It is the way food companies want it and they keep it that way with their influence on capitol hill.  My advice would be to stay away from processed food and sugary drinks. These have the most simple carbs and GMO. If you can't buy organic, then buy conventional vegetables. Most are non-GMO, for now, anyway. Stay away from Zucchini, corn on the cob, edamame (soy beans), yellow squash and Hawaiian Papayas as they may be GMO. Wild caught fish from the supermarket with a whole grain rice is healthy, easy to make and not too expensive.