Ethics in Eating

Ethics In Food People have been eating food for thousands of years. In fact, food is a distinctive part of culture, tradition and even religion. Without food humans can not live. Today, American culture has developed its own unique way of producing and eating food. This new way of producing food has some Americans questioning the ethics of eating. America’s poor food ethics start with a lack of education and then with the food production, where the food is subject to quantity over quality, and unhealthy ingredients. America produces large quantities of food that feeds its vast and hungry population. With over three hundred million people to feed, food corporations need to produce enough food for everyone in America to eat (“U.S.”). The average American eats one ton, 1,996 pounds, of food a year which means that America consumes over three hundred million tons of food a year (“11 facts”). No wonder U.S. farmers harvest 84 million acres of corn and butcher 250 million chickens in a single year (“Background”). Because of this food demand, America should be focused on quantity not quality. Quality food is unneeded. Most Americans throw away their healthy food for the more satisfying flavors of sugar and salt. If people liked organic food than Americas food producers would provide more organic food. Grocery stores and fast food companies do not waste their time selling wholesome foods. These stores know the money is in frozen foods, empty carbohydrates, and high fructose corn syrup. People do not want organic maple syrup on their pancakes they want preservatives and concentrated sugar. Americans do not want quality food.

In America, food corporations offer exactly what the majority of its citizens need, fast, cheap food. Amy Domini, founder and CEO of Domini Social Investments, says that, "Fast food is a way of life" (106). McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy 's, KFC and other fast food chains have made themselves apart of American culture. People

Cited: January 2, 2011 "Diabetes Statistics." American Diabetes Association "U.S. Population and World Clock.” United States Census Bureau. April 17th, 2013 Web. April. 20th 2013.