Food, Inc.

( 43 )

Overview

Documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner uses reports by Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser and The Omnivore's Dilemma author Michael Pollan as a springboard to exploring where the food we purchase at the grocery store really comes from, and what it means for the health of future generations. By exposing the comfortable relationships between business and government, Kenner gradually shines light on the dark underbelly of the American food industry. The USDA and FDA are supposed to protect the public, so why is it ...
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Overview

Documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner uses reports by Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser and The Omnivore's Dilemma author Michael Pollan as a springboard to exploring where the food we purchase at the grocery store really comes from, and what it means for the health of future generations. By exposing the comfortable relationships between business and government, Kenner gradually shines light on the dark underbelly of the American food industry. The USDA and FDA are supposed to protect the public, so why is it that both government regulatory agencies have been complicit in allowing corporations to put profit ahead of consumer health, the American farmer, worker safety, and even the environment? As chicken breasts get bigger and tomatoes are genetically engineered not to go bad, 73,000 Americans fall ill from powerful new strains of E. coli every year, obesity levels are skyrocketing, and adult diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. Perhaps if the general public knew how corporations use exploited laws and subsidies to create powerful monopolies, the outrage would be enough to make us think more carefully about the food we put into our bodies.
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Special Features

Closed Caption; ; Deleted Scenes; Celebrity Public Service Announcements; Resources; ; ABC News Nightline "You Are What You Eat": Food With Integrity; ; "The Amazing Food Detective" and "Snacktown Snackdown": Stay Active and Healthy
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Bruce Eder
A word to the squeamish is in order before we proceed with this review: those who are disturbed by scenes of animals being slaughtered and there aren't many, nor are they emphasized, but there are a few in this movie might want to be prepared before they see Robert Kenner's Food, Inc. That said, this is an illuminating and, at times, heartbreaking account of what's wrong with the food industry in the United States -- and for anyone who thinks this isn't a problem of some urgency, the participants make the point that the current debate over the nation's healthcare system would likely be a lot less urgent than it is if the food we were eating were healthier for us. Kenner uses his camera and an ironic sense of humor, coupled with a lot of healthy outrage, to portray precisely how the quest to make food manufacturing in the United States more efficient has damaged many of us in the most personal way possible -- inside of our own bodies. His principal villains are corporate giants -- who now control over three quarters of the food that we eat -- and their quest to bring fast-food restaurant methods to the actual making of their products on the farm as well as in the factory; their main tool seems to be corn, along with various growth hormones and antibiotics added to cattle and chicken feed. And the main victims are...us. One might dismiss some of the more conspiratorial suggestions made by the participants, until they give a list, complete with names and dates, of the food industry officials who have been through the revolving door of corporate employment and the regulatory agencies that are supposed to oversee those corporations' products. That list extends right up to the U.S. Supreme Court and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote the majority opinion favoring Monsanto, an ex-employer of his, over its control over seeds and patents; if ever a case presented a primae facia instance of a justice recusing himself, this one would seem to have been it, but Mr. Thomas thought otherwise. And that's only one of the matters addressed in this well-intentioned but, at times, slightly overwhelming exposé. Kenner presents a daunting array of facts and faces to go with them including the still-grieving mother of a boy who died of E. coli poisoning from tainted hamburger, and a farmer who may lose her farm over her willingness to show the conditions of modern poultry barns, along with some signs of hope. And some of the faces on the side of the angels have been seen and heard from before, such as Eric Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation. They're all articulate and engaging in making their points, and Kenner knows how to keep his camera and images moving, so that they're not just a bunch of talking heads or sometimes funny graphics. But like a meal that is one or two courses too large, Food, Inc. delivers one or two too many layers of its message for easy consumption, and the result is that one does feel a bit...gorged at the end, albeit on what is a healthy and healthful message. A little less, by a few minutes or so, might have more efficiently evoked an even stronger viewer reaction and response. But then again, it's that fast, efficient, easy way of doing things that Kenner and company criticize throughout this film, so perhaps it is best that they went slightly overboard, in keeping with who they are and what they're trying to do. The film has its moments of humor and hope to balance the mood of the piece and the seriousness of its purpose, and more than a little irony. And the silence of Monsanto and the other corporate entities criticized here, after being offered the chance to respond, is deafening.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 11/3/2009
  • UPC: 876964002165
  • Original Release: 2008

    • Rating:

  • Source: Magnolia
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Wide Screen / Dubbed
  • Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Language: Español
  • Time: 1:31:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 176

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Gary Hirschberg Participant
Michael Pollan Participant
Joe Salatin Participant
Eric Schlosser Participant
Technical Credits
Robert Kenner Director, Producer
Mark Adler Score Composer
Richard Pearce Cinematographer, Co-producer
Stewart Pearce Sound/Sound Designer
Elise Pearlstein Producer
William Pohlad Executive Producer
Kim Roberts Editor
Melissa Robledo Co-producer
Eric Schlosser Co-producer
Robin Schorr Executive Producer
Jeff Skoll Executive Producer
Peter Skoll Executive Producer
Susumu Tokunow Sound/Sound Designer
Diane Weyermann Executive Producer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Food, Inc.
1. Introduction [4:04]
2. Fast Food to All Food [12:55]
3. A Cornucopia of Choice [7:53]
4. Unintended Consequences [13:55]
5. The Dollar Menu [5:28]
6. In the Class [13:42]
7. Hidden Costs [8:02]
8. From Seed to the Supermarkets [10:05]
9. The Veil [8:04]
10. Shocks to the System [2:22]
11. Power of the Consumer [4:42]
12. Credits [2:23]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Food, Inc.
   Play Movie
   Scene Selection
   Set Up
      Audio
         English 5.1 Dolby Digital
         English 2.0 Dolby Digital
      Subtitles
         Spanish
         Subtitles: Off
   Special Features
      Deleted Scenes
         Play All
         Cheapness Comes at a Price
         There's No Place Called Away
         Honoring the Pigness of the Pig
         It Could Happen Again
         Smells Like Money
         It's In the Grass
         Designing the Perfect Pork Chop
         We're In an Epidemic Now
      Celebrity Public Service Announcements
         Play All
         Child Nutrition Act
         Ingredients
         Alyssa Milano
         John Salley
         Anthony LaPlagia and Gia Carides
         Martin Sheen
         Kelly Preston
      ABC News Nightline "You Are What You Eat": Food with Integrity
      "The Amazing Food Detective" and "Snacktown Smackdown": Stay Active and Eat Healthy
      Resources
      Food, Inc. - The Book
      Theatrical Trailer
      Also from Magnolia Home Entertainment
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 43 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(22)

4 Star

(9)

3 Star

(5)

2 Star

(6)

1 Star

(1)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 43 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    A Must for Anyone Who Eats

    This movie is a must for anyone who eats or feeds a family meat. I gave up meat years ago because of how it made me feel. I do eat chicken and fish but do cook meat for family and friends. I have gone organic and after seeing this movie - everyone I know who thought I may have gone "over the top" is now grateful. This movie is enightening considering TV commercials by Mr. Purdue who claims his birds are fed marigolds and nothing with hormones or antibiotics. Quite an eye opener and I applaud the female farmer who showed the read Purdue story. We as Americans have the right to decent, healthy food without worrying if we're about to kill or sicken our children or grandchildren with tainted food.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Food, Inc.

    I wasn't sure that I would want to see this film, as I feared it would focus upon the violent and gruesome nature of slaughterhouses. I also do not enjoy self-righteous diatribes or paranoid propaganda. Although there certainly was some provocative footage, the tenor of the film was not sensational. We watched it with our college-age children and had a great discussion how our eating habits impact the world. I don't think that anyone could ever look down the rows of food at a grocery store the same way again, after viewing this film and gaining a bit more perspective about the role of business in our country's food production.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great Film

    This is a wonderful film and a must see for anyone who eats.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great movie

    Very informative and well told; compliments Omnivores Dilema and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan as well as the book Fast Food Nation.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

    Food Inc

    Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes with your food before it reaches your plate? While most of us might not realize exactly what goes into our food, or at times not even think about it. But director Robert Kenner and his production team seek to bring out the truth about what goes on behind the scenes of the food industry and make it transparent so we all know the truth about what goes into our food so we can make more decisions about what we put into our body.

    There's a lot of mystery in what goes on with our food. Whether it's ingredients we have no idea what they are, or whether it's the general process through which our food goes through, there's a lot that we don't know. The food industry hasn't really helped us in finding out either. Shrouding the farms that work for major industry markets in secrecy, and restaurant chains fighting tooth in nail to avoid giving us nutritional values for the meals we eat it seems as though the food industry as something to hide.

    As depicted in Food, Inc. the food industry does have a lot to hide. Not only do the ingredients that go into our food seem less than savory, but their deplorable treatment of stock animals, farmers, and workers are enough to make anyone sick to their stomach. The filmmakers don't just attack their query though, they try to present both sides of the story from the consumer to the market leaders, unfortunately in the case of the market leaders they more often than not decline to be interviewed. And while this documentary might not answer all of our questions about the food industry, it definitely does a great job at helping us realize that things must change.

    In the end Food Inc. doesn't just tell us about our food, but how the industry has changed things in America altogether. From appointed government officials who formerly worked for big name corporations and have influenced legislation on their behalf, to the food industry's influence on illegal immigration this film approaches all aspects of the trade. I highly recommend this film, not only to open your eyes to what your eating, but to help you understand how and why things need to change.

    5/5

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Fast Food Nation
    In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
    The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
    The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World
    Super Size Me

    Food is very important!!!

    This movie is a must see and would be great to have it as an educational requirement starting in the 6th grade!!!!
    This information needs to be shared and shared!!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Clean Food: A Seasonal Guide to Eating Close to the Source with More Than 200 Recipes for a Healthy and Sustainable You
    Food and Healing
    The Eat Clean Diet for Family and Kids: Simple Strategies for Lasting Health and Fitness

    I believe a must see for everyone, if more people were to view this movie/book, we will be able to make change

    I was very hestitant to view this movie, but am very glad I did. Some parts were very disturbing and I had to fast forward through. I highly recommend this to everyone, and have told many friends and family to view. As with myself, most are hesitant to watch it. Ones that have are wanting to make a change. I know I have made changes in the products I now select for my family and am very glad I have. We all have a choice and as the gentleman said in the film, every time we go to the store we are voting, and I want more and more people to vote-that way our voices will be heard, and we will be able to make a difference in our food!! Again, a must see for everyone.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Food Inc. = Food for Thought

    This is a great documentary for anyone who is trying to make thier life a little greener. An in depth and informative source of information on the food we eat and the way it is produced. The film also shows the corporate giant influence of power over production and the farmers. It also shows you what you can do to help start making changes, as well as, the effects your purchasing power has. It will show you what is in your food and introduce you to some companies and people who are making changes for a better and organic product. Watch this movie and it will have an influence on your shopping list.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Information you cant ignore--

    Absolutely riveting.. felt very sad for our country and its politics.. makes you look not only at food but the agencies that we trust to protect us.. one must ask, is money more important than humanity?

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 11, 2011

    A Must See

    Everyone should see this. The truth about where your food comes from is so powerful that if everyone in America saw this MAYBE we would see some changes in food production. The truth is ugly and will truly change how you view food in the supermarket and could help us all make more informed choices.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It

    Food Inc will change your mind

    I teach culinary art at a high school level and some of my comrades that teach science turned me on to this film. I am by no means a tree hugger or a veg head but after watching this movie I thought I should share it with my class. I grade them on the notes they take, as well as their participation in an open discussion on the film. As a chef I had been trying to use local farmers for organic or as close to organic produce for some time and continued to do so after leaving the industry. I had already been a big fan of wild game but more so now. I would also like to use organic proteins if possible and if they were more affordable. Watching this film has redirected my family toward a healthy path for our future.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Watch and you too will begin to eat differently

    You will not want to think of all the things you have eaten prior to seeing this film. Once you see it, you will never eat the same again--not if you care about yourself or your family. I bought the book after seeing the movie, but the book loses something without the video to make it crystal clear. This is film is so well done that you will forget you are watching a documentary. Luckily I live in an area where farming is still a way of life for some. As such, I have access to organically grown produce, grass fed beef, free range chickens and so much more. Most big grocers are now bringing quality food to their produce and meat sections. We should all be taking a stand against what we are being given for options at our grocery store.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Sure makes you think.......and act!

    I have seen the author on tv and wanted very much to see the movie. Not only does it make you think.....you will never look at chicken the same way. I shop somewhat differently and am much more aware of what I should and should not be eating. It is not easy to just stop everything you do for a lifetime but I will forever feel the effects of this information!

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    Posted November 14, 2009

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    Posted December 13, 2009

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    Posted November 17, 2009

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    Posted January 29, 2010

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    Posted March 21, 2010

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    Posted January 25, 2010

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    Posted January 2, 2010

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 43 Customer Reviews