Globilization!

Globalization seems to be a matter in which the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, but the advantages are very great.

For one, in some cases, the economic and social conditions of farmers are increased by globalization of agriculture. It also helps increase the efficiency of workers, and it helps improve the quality of food we receive. It keeps prices reasonable because the competition is so high.

The advantages really mainly fall around money, which isn't always a good thing, the lives of many farmers are being ruined because of this new way of doing things.

Personally, I guess I'm affected because I'd imagine a lot of what I buy could possibly be more expensive if it wasn't for the Globalization of agriculture.

Food Safety

Ultimately, I believe it is up to the consumer to be responsible for food safety. Too many times humans try to push the blame over to somebody else, but if consumers were more cautious about their food many of the problems would be solved. I'm not saying I don't appreciate all the programs that are in place, but the consumer should be more responsible for their selves as well.

For example, if consumers were to report every time they became sick from food from a specific company, then other consumers could see these records and refuse to buy from that company. This would in turn cause the company to clean up whatever problems they may have. Even with all of the programs in place to ensure food safety, consumers can still pull their weight. For example, we read a two page guide on food safety regarding turkey. If there's a two page guide for turkey, I'm sure there are multiple precautions to take in preparing and storing any food that may be overlooked and cause problems.

In the case of a restaurant's, it's a little more difficult for the consumer to take precautionary responsibility their first time there. However, if they experience illness related to food after eating there, they can let the restaurant know, and in turn, I'm sure the restaurant would be more than happy to fix whatever it was that led to that consumer's misfortune so that the chances of it happening again are greatly reduced.

We, the consumers, control what we put into our bodies, so ultimately: we should take responsibility for those actions.

Organic Food Production

Is it good or bad for the food industry and the consumer that the term was legally defined by the federal government? Are organic foods better for people and the environment than traditionally produced food? What are the drawbacks to organic food production? How do you feel about the "big business" of organic i.e. retailers like Whole Foods??? Make sure you are supporting your claims with valid evidence....Include anything else that interests you...

Generally, when the Federal government steps into people's every day lives, it's not a good thing, but, in the case of organic foods, having a national standard may not be a bad thing. While "organic" doesn't mean 100% pure, it definitely guarantees that the methods for producing the product were more pure than what non-organic food consists of. People often "buy organic is to avoid pesticide residues,"(Renner) but this may not always be the case. I believe this here is a drawback, in a small article, it was written that, "Banned pesticides like DDT were found in organic carrots and potatoes at levels as high as or higher than conventionally grown produce, according to a screening study conducted by a college undergraduate and presented at the Society of Toxicology and Chemistry annual meeting in November"(Renner). People end up paying extra money for something that isn't doing them much more good than if they bought regular produce (although, they are still supporting a cleaner environment and cleaner farming practices).

Big businesses stepping in and selling organic foods is probably a good thing. Organic farmers are this way encouraged to continue their practices since they are guaranteed sales. While, as I said before, organic doesn't mean 100% pure, but it's certainly purer. So when big businesses begin to move into the organic stream of things, it's a little bit better for everybody. Some examples, from http://www.avalonhealthinfo.com/ are:

Food giants such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are also breaking into the organic food market. Frito-Lay, which is owned by PepsiCo, has begun selling organic salsa and blue and yellow corn chips with the brand name Tostitos.

In 2001, Coca-Cola purchased the beverage line Odwalla and is selling organic carrot, apple and orange juices.

Additionally, the spice producer McCormick & Co. has been selling organic spices, including thyme and rosemary, since 2002.