As I write this post I've just finished watching Food Inc. The documentary is somewhat of an expose on the underbelly of the food industry, a modern day The Jungle. As food is something that is important to me I took the movie seriously but even the scenes of chickens being mass-slaughtered in factories didn't drive me to the edge of vegetarianism.

What did shock me? Veggie Libel Laws. In some US states, you can be convicted on felony charges for criticizing certain food industries. 

Legalese aside, the film primarily discusses how the government has become dominated by industries (ie: the corn industry) that it's meant to be regulated. Scenes depict ethical and unethical farming practices and liken the food supply chain to factory-line production. 

After watching the movie, which tends to blame large corporations for some of the widespread crises in food production today, such as food borne illness and obesity, my takeaway was how important to pay attention not only to what you're eating, but where it comes from. 

I can't imagine that there is anyone reading this who thinks that corporations exist for reasons other than to profit. Sure, some of the individuals who run those corporations are passionate about their companies and industries, but at the end of the day their responsibilities to their boards of directors, shareholders and CEOs is to make money. 

So, I don't personally blame corporations for the wrongs in the industry. While I prefer organic food, along with locally-sourced meat, produce and dairy, there is also Perdue chicken in my freezer because sometimes it's more convenient and cost-efficient. Food is a matter of personal preference and even after seeing Food Inc., I wouldn't say there is a right way or a wrong way to eat.  

There is only a right way and a wrong way to choose what to eat. The right way is to be informed and do your research. Where is your food coming from? What's in your whole chicken besides chicken? Some have sodium phosphate, a preservative also seen in cleaning products and disposable enemas. 

Some canned soups have MSG (monosodium glutamate) – and maybe you're alright with that. But if you're not reading labels and you're not educated and informed about what you're putting in your body, you can't hold another entity entirely accountable for their flaws. 

Do I prefer to eat natural, unprocessed food? Yes. Is it for everyone? Maybe not. But as Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma commented in the film, all we can do is buy food from companies that treat their animals, workers and land with care and respect.

Did you notice that I've been posting more frequently than usual this week? In celebration of National Novel Writing Month, some bloggers choose to commemorate November with NaBloPoMo, or National Blog Posting Month. I've challenged myself to post daily this month and hope that you'll challenge yourselves to read them all!