Author Larissa Zimberoff vividly describes her convoluted relationship with food, given her condition of Type 1 diabetes, in her investigative book 'Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley’s Mission to Change the Way We Eat'. She maintains that despite individuals' love for food, people don't mindlessly think about it throughout the day.
The documentary “Food, Inc. 2” continues exposing the shockingly unwholesome practices by America’s corporate food industry to manipulatively tune us into consuming unhealthy food. The documentary however, starts on a positive note, that increased food consciousness is leading to healthier and tasty food options being more accessible.
The initial times were filled with prosperity and spirited competition among food providers, which gradually faded due to monopolization. The unforeseen pandemic brought unpredictability and chaos into the system, leading to unexpected shortages.
The documentary points out the pitfalls of the food industry, such as mistreatment of migrant workers, production of “ultra-processed foods”, the impact of climate change, and the harmful effects of artificial sweeteners. It also highlights the problem of over-sized portions served in fast-food restaurants.
The film doesn't shy away from the guilt individuals experience when they realize the health implications of the foods they love to eat. It showcases the small-scale, wholesome innovations chosen by few food producers over corporate methods. It features New Jersey Senator Cory Booker standing up against the push of addictive unhealthy food towards low-income constituents. The film encourages the audience to actively change their eating ways by ending on an optimistic note, stating: “Not only can we do it, we have to.”
