Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner’s documentary exposes the truth behind the American food industry, and truly is a film every parent needs to watch before feeding another bite to your child.
As a vegan myself, I didn’t expect to feel anything but an affirmation of my beliefs by watching this film.
I was wrong.
I’ve generally had the attitude that while I choose not to eat meat or animal products and do not prepare them at home for my family, if my kids or husband want a hamburger or a turkey sandwich while eating out, I am not going to forbid it. However, after watching Food, Inc., I was shocked to see not only the inhumane treatment of animals, but the level of disease-breeding filth that they live in and consequently, we, in turn, eat.
The film includes the story of Barbara Kowalcyk, and the death of her two-year-old son from eating an E. coli tainted hamburger. As I watched Barbara’s anguish as she explained the suffering her child went through the last twelve days of his life, I realized that I have an obligation as a parent to ensure that EVERYTHING that my children put in their mouths, be it a Matchbox car or the occasional chicken nugget, is entirely safe. Unfortunately, the majority of meat that we purchase at restaurants and grocery stores come from these massive factory farms.
In other words, “Kids, you are now what we call vegetarians.”
While Food, Inc. may not be drawing huge crowds due to it’s hard to hear message, I’m reminded that ignorance may be bliss, but knowledge is power. I owe it to my kids to be well armed. Don’t you?
