Fast Food Article Analysis

Fast food, as an industry, has received heavy criticism over the quality of the ingredients in its food. In addition to that, most fast food is perceived as unhealthy. There have been countless studies about what exactly is in fast food. It is assumed that there are no healthy options and that you will be forced to eat unhealthily if you choose to eat out. These articles provide evidence of health benefits from not eating fast food, as well as evidence of there being healthy options within the industry. As people become more health conscious, sales within the industry are likely to decline which is why it is imperative that franchises adapt and embrace this change in paradigm.

A Summary of Each Article:

“Article 1: The Heavy Impact of Urban

It claims that the real threat against your health doesn’t come from the actual food, but rather the packaging. It states that most fast food packaging contains the same chemicals as carpeting, as well as floor cleaners. The chemical in question is called “polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)”. This substance can cause “kidney and testicular cancer, low birth weight, thyroid disease, decreased sperm quality, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, and immune system problems”. There are claims that most fast food wrappers no longer contain this chemical, however, a recent study shows that there are still chemicals present in “46 percent of paper wrappers and 20 percent of paperboard box samples”. This is another reason why fast food is unhealthy, since there is no way to detect if there is polyfluoroalkyl in your fast food wrapper.

“Article 4: #FoodPornFriday: Healthiest and Fattiest Fast Food meals” is an article that compares different types of fast food from different restaurants. There is a common misconception that all fast food is unhealthy and that we are left with no other option except to buy this unhealthy food. This article compares the unhealthiest meal served with the healthiest meal served, at each restaurant. For example, it shows that even though the KFC Zinger Box Meal is really unhealthy, there is an option to get a grilled chicken burger with garnish.

This means that the industry has stopped growing or has slowed down dramatically. SA has always had a growing love for fast food. Perhaps it’s the fact that it is accessible and affordable to the poorer parts of the population, or because it is fashionable and highly desirable to eat at a McDonald’s, despite the growing rate of obesity (Ar.4). The rest of the world is still experiencing significant growth and fluctuation within the industry, whereas SA is experiencing an oversaturation which is possibly due to foreign influences such as Mexican fast food, which is causing this plateau (Ar.2). I believe that, from a consumer’s point of view, this isn’t a bad thing. Perhaps a decline in sales of fast food implies a shift towards a healthier