30 Questions
What is the primary focus of the upcoming lectures?
Pathological states such as obesity and malnutrition
What does the 'food system' encompass?
All processes from farm to plate
What was the consequence of chronic malnutrition during the industrial revolution?
Premature death, especially among infants and young children
What is the main issue associated with the current food system according to the text?
Over-abundance in the 1st world and hunger in the 3rd world
What is necessary to address obesity and eliminate malnutrition?
Understanding all the causes including social, economic, psychological, and biological factors
During the industrial revolution, what was the life expectancy of infants and young children affected by chronic malnutrition?
Most were dead before age 5
What is the key social and economic determinant of obesity and malnutrition discussed in the text?
The 'food system'
What is the main cause of salinity affecting 5M hectares of land?
Extensive use of irrigation
What contributes to the eutrophication affecting at least half of all fresh water bodies?
Fertilizer run-off contaminating water supplies
What is a consequence of the reliance on limited plant/animal varieties and loss of biodiversity?
Insufficient genetic diversity for disease resistant replacement
What is a concern related to 'factory farming'?
Antibiotics and growth hormones
What contributes to the unfair market for agricultural products, especially for Third world countries?
Encouragement to grow cash crops to pay accumulated debt
What makes it hard for countries to purchase sufficient food, as seen with the crash in coffee prices?
Crash in prices of cash crops
What is a consequence of US farm subsidies?
Forced reliance on cash crops
What is the main focus of the life sciences paradigm in addressing ecological and agricultural problems?
Scientific solutions, especially biotechnology
What is the main focus of the ecologically integrated paradigm in addressing ecological and agricultural problems?
Human-centered solutions, including science
What was the percentage of income spent on food in the US between 1900-2003?
13%
What was the historical high cost of food, with people spending around 80% of income on food in the 17th-19th centuries?
Wheat and bread
Which event illustrated the fragility of the food supply system?
Irish potato famine
What were the consequences of chronic malnutrition mentioned in the text?
Compromised immune systems and low birth-weight babies
What were the solutions to food supply problems mentioned in the text?
Improved agricultural practices and reliance on national and international sources of food
What were the farming practices improvements during the Green Revolution reliant on?
Oil-based products
What technology prevented famine after poor harvests?
Food preservation technologies
What technology was first used by the Tang Dynasty in China and later developed for industrial use in Australia for beer, meat, and dairy products?
Freezing
Which technological advancement revolutionized the bulk transport of food, contributing to international trade in basic foodstuffs?
The train
What posed risks of food poisoning due to its initial construction with iron and lead seals?
Hand-made cans
What led to the rise of processed foods and fast food, altering consumer food choices?
The capitalist model's requirement for continued growth
What did the food industry's profit-driven objectives lead to the control of, focusing on palatability and convenience?
Food content
What contributed to overeating due to the rise of choice and availability of food?
Increased consumption and opportunity to eat
What hindered reform efforts for healthy eating and food safety due to significant economic and political influence?
Consolidation of the food industry by major players
Study Notes
History and Challenges of the Food Industry
- Canning food was first developed by Appert in France in 1806, with the technology further developed in the UK by Donkin.
- Initially, cans were hand-made of iron with a tinplated interior and sealed with lead, posing risks of food poisoning.
- Freezing was first used by the Tang Dynasty in China and later developed for industrial use in Australia for beer, meat, and dairy products.
- Large storage facilities were developed for preserving crops, and chemical preservation methods using nitrates were introduced.
- The train revolutionized bulk transport of food, contributing to the international trade in basic foodstuffs.
- Technological changes in the food industry led to improved food security, cheaper food, and increased average income in the West.
- Post-WWII, the capitalist model required continued growth, leading to the expansion of the food system to meet the needs of the industrialized world.
- The challenge of continued profit growth led to the rise of processed foods and fast food, altering consumer food choices.
- The food industry's profit-driven objectives led to the control of food content, focusing on palatability and convenience.
- The rise of choice and availability of food led to increased consumption and opportunity to eat, contributing to overeating.
- Continuous advertising of high-fat and sweet foods, particularly targeting children, led to increased consumption and commercial gains.
- The consolidation of the food industry by major players with significant economic and political influence hindered reform efforts for healthy eating and food safety.
Test your knowledge of the history and challenges of the food industry with this insightful quiz. Explore the development of food preservation methods, the impact of technological changes, and the influence of profit-driven objectives on consumer choices. Learn about the evolution of the food industry and its implications for food security, health, and society.
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