Fast food nation by eric schlosser

In Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation” he talks about the truth behind fast food. We never really wonder, when we eat fast food, where it came from, or what we are really eating, or how it came to be sitting in front of us. Well Schlosser uses his undeniable phraseology, his overall facts on the history of fast food, and his brutal honesty to describe and challenge our fast food nation, as we know it. In his book Schlosser argues that the fast food industry utilizes its political influence to avoid its main problems with health issues and its terrible working conditions, all the while greatly increasing profits and its expansion.

Schlosser’s sense of humor and word choice set the all-inclusive tone throughout the book. His presentation of his argument is straightforward and out in the open. Although, Schlosser gives opportunities to side differently, his overall standpoint is potent. His intent in writing the book is to challenge people to consider the consequences of eating at McDonalds or any other fast food chain. He gives us insight on what really is going into our food. “The medical literature on the causes of food poisoning is full of euphemisms and dry scientific terms: coliform levels, aerobic plate counts, sorbitol, MacConkey agar, and so on. Behind them lies a simple explanation for why eating a hamburger can now make you seriously ill:…” In this quote, from his book, Schlosser is explaining all the fancy ways of saying what we are really eating.

This only further proves his argument on the health problems caused by the so-called food that has consumed America as a whole. Most health problems today have been linked to fast food and what is really in it. We honestly don’t know what is in it. The main intent is to make the food taste good, so whatever has to be added to achieve that goal will be. It’s all about pleasing the right customers and what better customers to advertise to than children. Schlosser begins to describe the two geniuses in advertising, Ray Kroc and Walt Disney; both very similar but are most famous for their lives work. The pair has one key component: child advertising. Kroc uses his McDonald land to draw in the younger crowd with its fictional characters and its main character, Ronald McDonald. What kid wouldn’t want to eat something called a happy meal? Schlosser describes the union of the two by saying, “The life’s work of Walt Disney and Ray Kroc had come full-circle, uniting in perfect synergy.

McDonald’s began to sell its hamburgers and French fries at Disney’s theme parks. The ethos of McDonaldland and of Disneyland, never far apart, have finally become one. Now you can buy a happy meal at the happiest place on Earth.” They are the perfect match for each other. This union has child advertising all over it. The union with Disney and McDonalds gives Schlosser his gateway to his argument on expansion. Although the working conditions of fast food industry are far from perfect, it doesn’t stop them from expanding more and more. Farther from America into other countries until the world is consumed in the troubles of fast food. Schlosser argues that McDonalds has become a real estate giant because of the leasing of property to franchisees that are fully under the control of the corporation because the lease can be terminated.

He adds that is has now become a 38.1% failure rate when it once was just a step to becoming a millionaire. (on page 98) Schlosser supports and defends his arguments with his precise analysis of the fast food industry, and his effective writing dialect. Schlosser is appealing to his readers by appealing to the reader’s emotions by creating a backdrop for the individuals. Schlosser backs up all of his information that he used in this book. He gives plenty of insight into the fast food nation, and insight into the lives of the people involved in fast food. He went from its origin of southern California to its manifestation into today’s modern world. Schlosser believes that the fast food industry is nothing but a scam, and after all of the valid points, data, and stories given throughout his book who wouldn’t? I think its time they stop hiding behind all of the money and face the facts. That fast food is slowly but surely tearing America apart.