Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition, and Health, Revised and Expanded Edition (California Studies in Food and Culture) by Marion Nestle Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition, and Health, Revised and Expanded Edition (California Studies in Food and Culture)
Book Review: Bashing Food Myths!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Food Politics" is a really enlightening and educational read for anyone who eats! I was recommended this book by my professor who I became a teaching assistant to (the class is Nutrition in Medicine). Being a foodie who believes in fresh ingredients and minimal processing, this book not only reiterates what I know (and believe), it also presents new information about the competitive food industry. During the time I read the book, I began realizing the food industry's actions on my daily experience, such as grocery shopping. I also realized that they have succeeded brainwashing the "Variety is good for the diet" motto not only to me but also my loved ones.
I got pretty disillusioned with both the government and the food industry after reading this. Not that I've never known about Senate/Congress lobbyists and corruption, it's just that I never realized the extent that it happens! Nevertheless, "Food Politics" is a beneficial read for anyone interested in finding out more about the industry.
Book Review: Why right libertarian economics will never work.
Summary: 5 Stars
Government in bed with the industry. Government wins through private sector employment, companies win by selling you dirt cheap harmful garbage. You lose.
I'd take the first 3 reviews submitted with a grain of salt.
Book Review: I don't think most of these reviewers read this book
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is not some stupid Michael Moore-style "expose" of the "food lobby," and anyone simpleminded enough to get that out of it...well...probably thinks Michael Moore makes sense too.Marion Nestle has a pretty impressive resume, and has good authority to write a book like this. Sure, you might think she's trying to tell you that Great Big Establishment Secret in describing how different manufacturing/producing groups try to make their products appear in the best light at the FDA, USDA and so on. But HELLO, PEOPLE! That is the stuff you learn in Economics or Marketing 101. Who are these simpletons who believe any businessperson wouldn't want to talk up his/her product's good side, and downplay its bad? Are there really people that naive about how commerce works? Apparently so, if this book is shocking to anyone. I weep for our touchy-feely education system sometimes...and reading these reviews is one of those moments.
Anyhow, the book pretty much lays out what anyone who's ever had a weight problem knows. We eat too much, move too little, and rely on high-caloric-density foods in the US. Eat less, and eat fewer junk foods. Duh.
Book Review: Stunning!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is like an atom bomb on the rapcious and irresponsible food industy- with its massive pushing of high calorie, high profit junk food all in the name of $$$I am suprised it even got published because it is so utterly devastating to such a powerful plank of American capitalism.
Great and courageous work Marion Nestle!!
Book Review: More About Politics Than Food
Summary: 4 Stars
If you want to know about the ins and outs of food science or the food industry, this book will be disappointing. But if you're interested in how the food induatry (agriculture, food processing, retail and restaurant) influence and dominate our governments' approach to food, this book is the one for you.Dr. Nestle, a nutrition scientist, has spent years consulting with the USDA and other government agencies dealing with food. She had a lot to do with creation and publication of the famous "food pyramid."
In this work, she was subject to relentless lobbying by food companies determined to prevent the government from recommending that people eat less of their products. They sent whole armies of lobbyists, not just to Washington, but to state governements, universities, and anywhere else they could influence food science.
They donate money to universities, fund studies of their own, give gifts to legislators and woo regulators. They frequently get their own corporate representatives appointed to regulatory and administrative positions. As a result, they have watered down or changed any attempt to advise eating less fat, less sugar, or less of anything.
I think the great value of this book is revealing how our government works. This is not just about food. Every facet of government is subject to corporate influence and domination. You can really see this in the insurance companies' ability to derail health insurance reform, and the drug companies' blocking drug purchases from foreign countries.
Perhaps we can take our government back, step by step. Food Politics is a good teaching tool for those who want to fight back.
David Spero RN...