Fast Food Industry

718 Words2 Pages

It is not a surprise that fast food has become a way of life in America. Every day about a quarter of the adult population n United States visits the fast food restaurant. Every month about 90 percent of children aged 3-9 visit McDonald's. According to Schlosser, Americans spent more than $110 billion a year on the fast food. In his book "Fast Food Nation" Eric Schlosser is not chiefly interested in the consumption of fast food, but his primary objective is to explore manufacturing starting with the unemployment. His book deals with United States politics and raises many social issues. It has been estimated that one out of eight workers at some point of their career worked at McDonald's. Today there are approximately 3.5 million fast food workers and they constitute the largest group of the minimum wage earners in the country. According to Schlosser, "the only Americans who consistently earn a lower hourly wage are migrant farm workers ." "Fast Food Nation" is the story of the postwar America. Fast food industry has pushed the homogenization of our society. The author is very convincing in making his arguments and supports them with a wide variety of examples. It is impossible to disagree with what he is saying because the evidence in support to his statements is around us. Fast food made a gap between poor and rich wider, created the epidemics of obesity and transferred this cultural imperialism abroad. Eric Schlosser provides a lengthy list of charges but h combines then with the careful reasoning. His survey starts from California subdivisions where the business was born and continues to the industrial New Jersey where fast food is produced. In his book, Schlosser hangs out with teenagers who make fast foo... ... middle of paper ... ...s. Schlosser devotes chapters to various aspects of the industry. They do not all fit together however the picture he created is frightening. In particular, the conditions described in the meatpacking industry are terrible and the description of the federal and state power regarding inspection and consumer safety is disturbing . In the conclusion I would like to say that Schlosser managed in the reportorial voice to tell the history, economic and day to day dealings, and negative implications of the fast food industry through delivery impressive examples of information. Fast food in United States seems to be truly American and considered to be as harmless as an apple pie. However, through his book Schlosser proved that the industry drive for consolidation and speed has radically changed the American diet, economy and workforce in the destructive way.

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