Reading responding - Book Report/Review Example

1. 2. 3. 4. Stuffed and Starved – A Response Paper In today’s modern world, the fast food industry has flourished and expanded and surpassed global boundaries. However, quite often we are unaware of what goes into the making of fast foods and the food we purchase at the super markets. Simply put, we are not in control of the food we ingest on a daily basis. The food industry makes use of certain additives such as lecithin, which does not contribute to the food value, but has its own utility purpose that is very helpful to the manufacturer because it helps in mass production.

(Raj Patel, Pg. 174) For example, in a modern chocolate bar, many of the ingredients that are used, are not there for enhancing the taste but to “make it easier for the manufacturer to store, ship and keep it on the shelves” for a longer period of time. (Raj Patel, Pg. 173) However, the consumer is not aware of this because it is not listed in the list of ingredients on the food wrapper. Lecithin, is also referred to as the ‘secret ingredient’ and is found in chocolate, animal feed, margarines, vegetable oils and so many other food stuffs, and though it has come to occupy a key place in the food system of the world, it does not serve any purpose to the consumer.

In fact, according to Felicity Lawrence of ‘The Guardian’ who reviewed the author’s seminal work states that through Name 2history, ‘the government policies have been designed to control our food’. (The Guardian, 2007) The Soya bean, has also served to revolutionize the food industry in many ways as it occupies a place in almost three- fourths of all the products found in the Supermarket. The Soya bean is also another secret ingredient found in chocolate and many other foods. Though Lecithin was obtained only from egg whites, now it is also manufactured from the Soya bean.

The Soya bean has served to considerably reduce the ‘incidence of heart disease and lower rates of respiratory problems.’ (Raj Patel, 175, 7) Soy is rich in proteins and amino acids and only when processed, is easily digestible and assimilated in our body. According to Raj Patel (175) “Today, Soy still spawns exotic pleasures, physical and medical” and is considered to be one of the most functional foods.ReferencesRaj Patel, (2012) Stuffed and Starved. The Hidden Battle for the World Food System.

2 Rev Exp Edition. Melville House. Pgs. 432.Felicity Lawrence. The Guardian. (2007) A Review: Stuffed and Starved by Raj Patelwww.theguardian.com