Perspective

As an investigative journalist, Eric Schlosser has approached his research and writing with a comprehensive, well-organized journey through the fast food industry from its beginnings in southern California to its current global realization. He met and interviewed individuals from virtually every aspect of the industry—ranchers, chicken growers, potato farmers, meat-packing workers, fast food restaurant employees, small independent restaurant owners, and citizens of foreign countries into which fast food chains have expanded. Further, he has researched the history of the growth of agri-business corporations and their ability to wield extensive political power to get favorable legislation and relaxation of regulations. Along the way, he intertwined the personal stories of individuals affected by the fast food industry and exposed the abuses of the mega-corporations which support this industry. His research continued into the areas of health dangers, exposing the risks of obesity and the current methods of processing...