FAST FOOD NATION
BY ERIC SCHLOSSER
What The All-American Meal is Doing to the World
Contents
What’s it about?
The success of the fast food industry
A history of fast food
The fast food industry in the United States and worldwide
The increase of food-borne illnesses
How cattle ranches have changed over the years
How the French fry got its start in the United States
Factory workers are suffering, too
The side effects of fast food
Final summary
Now read the book
What’s it about?
Eric Schlosser is an investigative reporter who spent three years researching everything he could about the fast food industry. In Fast Food Nation he outlines the humble beginnings of the fast food industry, how it started out as a few little hot-dog stands, and how it has grown into the multi-billion-dollar industry it is today.
The fast food industry may have had a modest start, but today there are fast food restaurants worldwide and you can find microwaveable dinners in every grocery store. Mr. Schlosser looks at how the industry has successfully marketed their brands to the consumer over the years; from using Ronald McDonald to attract kids, to the TV commercials showing you not only how tasty and convenient the food is, but also how popular you’ll be if you eat it.
Fast Food Nation also looks at the repercussions of the fast food industry. With new technology (such as frozen-food technology and chemical additives) have come increases in diseases such as obesity. There has also been an increase in soil and water pollution. Plus, much of the profits go to big business instead of the farmer or rancher. This rapidly growing industry has also affected the hourly wage of its employees.
The more we know about an industry that has such a huge impact on the daily lives of people within the United States, the more likely we are to take a second look at the food choices we make. Education allows us to make more informed decisions, and that’s what Fast Food Nation is all about.
The success of the fast food industry