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Fast but Unhealthy Food

This photo was taken on December 6, 2008 in The Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, NV, US, using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi.

First coined in 1915,  the term “consumerism” has not reverted to its original purpose – “advocacy of the rights and interests of consumers” (Oxford English Dictionary). After fifty years it has come to mean, ” the emphasis on or preoccupation with the acquisition of consumer goods” (Oxford English Dictionary). What consumerism came to mean in 1960 stretches to the 21st century. There seems to be a manufacturing industry that caters to every demand of society. Things, including food, are believed inexhaustible and their production, fast. Fast-food establishments abound, are patronized, and so are a profitable enterprise.

Fast Food Nature

Fast food products involve processes that use preservatives to augment their flavor and shelf-life. These preservatives, when taken in amounts hazardous to the human body, cause health problems. Recently, a study was made on the meat product of a global fast-food chain. The meat lasted, unaltered and unspoiled, for several months. The study’s result denotes high amounts of preservatives in fast-food, countless of which are sold, served, and eaten globally. The 21st century is steeped in a culture of fast-food.

Health and Fast Foods

While the health aware recognizes the dangers in alcohol drinking and cigarette-smoking, it has yet to unveil the long-term impact on health of fast-food products. Since the media inculcates fast-food products’ desirability and edibility more than it informs society of food’s most basic and important quality, which is nutritional value, Health-consciousness movements must make their efforts to inform society of the real deal fast-foods take out on them, more felt and mainstream.

Role of Government

Current food safety standards do not consider fast-food products blatantly dangerous. Reality shows fast-foods are no different from alcoholic drinks and tobacco products. This has to change. Warnings about fast-food items’ health risks ought to be better publicized. The government must streamline, into modern culture, the measures it has taken to counter health risks from fast-food products.

References:
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2010/10/15/happy-meal-stays-forever-young/

http://www.extension.umn.edu/family/W00028.pdf

October 29, 2010 - Posted by chevelle jacobs | Health | Fast but Unhealthy Food, Fast Food Nature, Fast Food Rave, Health and Fast foods, Role of Government