L13 & L14 | Food System and Nutrition Challenges

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Questions and Answers

What was one primary consequence of the technological changes in food storage and transport?

Reduction in local crop variety

Higher food prices due to transportation costs

Increased reliance on local weather conditions

Improved food security (correct)

Which agricultural innovation contributed to the bulk transport of food items in the late 19th century?

The mechanized plow

Steam-powered tractors

Refrigerated rail cars (correct)

The introduction of chemical preservatives

How did the introduction of bulk transport affect international food trade?

It made local markets obsolete.

It resulted in higher food wastage during transport.

It facilitated the development of an international trade in food supplies. (correct)

It decreased food exports from Europe.

What was a direct impact of the train on food transport in the US during 1860-1900?

Facilitation of grain and meat transport to ports Signup and view all the answers

What role did nitrates play in food preservation during this period?

They allowed meats to be preserved for longer periods. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the development of canning technology in the early 1800s?

To provide an effective means of food preservation for the French army Signup and view all the answers

Which preservation method was first introduced during the Tang Dynasty in China?

Freezing Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of mechanization in the canning industry by the late Victorian times?

Australia's canned food exports drastically increased Signup and view all the answers

What problem did early canning technology often face that posed a danger to consumers?

Inadequate heating that let bacteria thrive inside cans Signup and view all the answers

Which food preservation method was notably used by the wealthy in the UK during the 1830s?

Freezing Signup and view all the answers

What led to the significant advancements in food preservation technologies during the early 1800s?

Increased population and demand for food Signup and view all the answers

What process did early canned foods undergo to preserve the food inside?

Creating a vacuum by heating Signup and view all the answers

Which innovation significantly impacted the food supply chain in Australia by the late 19th century?

Mechanization of canning Signup and view all the answers

What agricultural practice greatly increased land cultivation efficiency during the Industrial Revolution?

Introduction of the Rotheram plough Signup and view all the answers

Which innovation significantly reduced the labor needed for sowing seeds?

Seed drill Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main benefits of the 4-crop rotation system introduced by Lord Townshend?

Reduction in pest populations Signup and view all the answers

During the Green Revolution, what was the impact of increasing pesticide use?

Increased food security significantly Signup and view all the answers

How did the adoption of mechanisation affect food prices?

It contributed to lower prices and better food security Signup and view all the answers

What major effect did the Industrial Revolution have on food prices?

It dramatically drove food prices down before 1900 Signup and view all the answers

What crop system was first developed in Germany and later introduced to the UK?

4-crop rotation system Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fertilizer became heavily relied upon during the Green Revolution?

Ammonium nitrate Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Food System

Lectures focus on pathological states like obesity and malnutrition
These states arise from complex circumstances (social, economic, psychological, biological)
The lecture will examine a key determinant - the food system and economic determinants of obesity and malnutrition
The food system has led to overabundance in developed countries, and hunger in undeveloped ones
The processes of food production, processing, distribution, and retail are included in the food system
Is this view of the current food system fair and accurate?

Hungry Past

Chronic malnutrition was prevalent in Western countries before WWI
Mortality rates were high, with many dying before age 50 or 70
18th century individuals had high chances of losing family members to premature death
Food supply was fragile, dependent on weather, and lacked resilience to disease

Present

Chronic malnutrition is rare in developed nations now
People live longer and healthier lives, mostly due to improved food security and affordability
Access to cheap and secure food supply is a key factor
The current food system is a significant achievement, despite its criticisms

Food Supply

The stability of the food system is being questioned
The processes involved in food production and delivery are being examined to address the current issues
Attempts are ongoing to understand this to develop optimal solutions
The solutions being discovered to improve the food system

The Problem

Food costs were high historically, demanding significant proportion of a person's income
High levels of food expense limit population access to adequate nutrition
Food security was historically more fragile, influenced by weather and disease
Lack of robust, consistent food supply leads to greater suffering during periods of scarcity

The Problem 2: Food Security

Food security historically was more fragile
The Irish potato famine (1845-1852) demonstrates historic vulnerability
This led to population loss and migration
Reliance on limited plant and animal varieties, and loss of biodiversity has implications

The Solution 1

Technological improvements including the 4-crop rotation system, improved/mechanised farming and tools like the Seed drill
The Green revolution increased crop yields dramatically
Reliance on oil-based products in industrialized agricultural practices and increased fertilizer use
These changes improved food security and decreased prices

The Solution 2

Food preservation methods like canning and freezing were developed (inventions like the canning technique)
Increased access to plentiful, affordable preserved food
Expansion of food supply by developing/improving technology to preserve foods
Technological innovations allowed storing food to mitigate the effect of poor harvest

The Solution 3

Development of rail transport allowed for the large-scale movement of food between countries, improving delivery and efficiency
The train contributed to the shift in efficient production and delivery of goods, which resulted in the improvement of local food systems

The Solution 4

Improved food security reduced reliance on local weather and disease
Global food supply increased in relation to demand
Cheaper food, enabled due to increased yields and affordable prices
Average income improved in developing countries due to better food availability and affordability
This resulted in a better quality life overall

Post WWII

The capitalist model of food production needs continual growth
The global food system has expanded to meet demands.
Issues started to arise after WWII
The food system struggles to maintain profit growth

Problem 1: Growth

Increased food choices and opportunities to eat (especially for developed countries)
Availability of diverse food options
Commercialisation makes food highly palatable
Advertising has significant impact on food choices, particularly targeting children

Problem 2: Hidden Costs

Food production has hidden costs that may not be immediately evident
Environmental impacts (soil degradation, salinity, excessive use of water and chemicals, impacts on workers)
Reliance on fossil fuels in food production and distribution

Problem 3: Distortions

For many developing countries, the global agricultural market is not truly equitable or fair
Developing countries have to grow cash crops, like cocoa and coffee, to meet debt obligations
They are discouraged from producing food for their own populations, making the system unbalanced
Cheap imports from developed countries negatively impact local economies and farmers

US Farm Subsidies

The US has implemented farm subsidies that impact global food supply
Subsidies make food in the US cheap that impacts farmers and economies overseas

Conclusion

The food industry's growth and success, rather than a conspiracy, has shaped food production
The 'productionist paradigm' has driven aspects of global food issues like starvation and obesity

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Description

This quiz explores the complexities of the food system and its impact on obesity and malnutrition. Examine how historical aspects and current determinants of food production affect health outcomes in developed and developing nations. Analyze whether the prevailing view of the food system is fair and accurate.