The Food Industry on the Environment

The continuous development of the food industry, to meet our demanding society, has dramatically affected the environment and the processes of agriculture around the world. The constant need to deliver quality food to consumers without losing profits is becoming more and more difficult. “Agriculture in the United States ... produces over $200 billion a year in food commodities, with livestock accounting for more than half”(United States Global Change Research Program). With so much capital at stake the food industry struggles to maintain a balance between money spent and money made as well as the profit itself. To make sure that everything is done adequately while still upholding an ethical code the FDA has mandated a strict set of regulations for producers to follow.

However these guidelines are ofter undermined by greedy companies who would rather “make and sell bogus orange juice, apple juice, maple syrup, honey, cream, olive oil, and seafood.” (Fake Food: When Food Companies Mislead Consumers) instead of the real thing just for a little extra profit. However one must ask 'why would these companies be going to such lengths to make make the desired profit?' The answer is simple: with recent recession and the constant difficulties with the ever changing environment they have had to spend more just to keep the company running and their pockets lined.

Over the last century farmers have increased their use of pesticides to ensure that they increase productivity and keep up with our ever demanding society. However the over use of pesticides causes the “injury of nontarget plants and animals, and environmental damage. Of particular concern today is the movement of pesticides into groundwater” (Pesticides and the Environment). The use of these pesticides leads to unintentional harm of plants, animals and people in the surrounding areas. Yet no one really acknowledges the cause nor bothers to try and stop it. The ones especially guilty for this are the food companies whose focus is simply to make sure their products are “selected for such characteristics as weight of produce, cosmetic appearance, shelf-life, machine pick ability and ability to meet the needs of the food processing industry” (A Global Food and Agriculture Policy for Western Countries: Laying the Foundations). With this trend still on the rise it seems that this is the way things are and will be. So, next time you go to your local grocery store to pick up some fruit and vegetables consider what makes them look as good as they are and try not to pick ones simply because they ‘look’ good. Consider if it was coated with poison, or ever checked for diseases like E Coli. Don't wait until it's on the news to start caring.

http://eap.mcgill.ca/publications/eap12.htm
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WhatWeDo/History/default.htm
http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts/climate-change-impacts-by-sector/agriculture

http://www.enotalone.com/article/8615.html
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G7520