Why we eat what we eat The Farm Bill Food additives Critique of nutritionism The individual and the commons

The Farm Bill Response to Great Depression Since 1932, protects farmers and land Since 1960s, protects poor & children Food stamps: from welfare to nutrition program New bill every 5 years 2008 bill expired in 2013 Direct payments for major commodities Programs: nutrition, research, conservation, etc. Biofuels: subsidizes 46¢/gallon 2014 bill cut SNAP, conservation funding

Elements of the Farm Bill Primary subsidies to: Meat, dairy, wheat, sugar Mostly GE crops Includes foreign food aid Must come from US & be “monetized” Positive aspects Increases yields Can stabilize prices Includes some conservation

Eliminates food stamps for college students & undocumented immigrants; eliminates research funding on pollinators; cut conservation funding http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-profiles/publicola/articles/isnt-it-weird-that-january-29-2014

Processed foods Convenience, transportability, storability Mass production Process over 1000 “product units” per hour in a continual flow Food Additives Processing aid Aesthetic Improve taste, color or texture Especially sweeteners Increase shelf-life Nutraceuticals

Common food additives Preservatives: sulfites, BHT Colors: red, blue, yellow dyes, beetroot red Emulsifiers & stabilisers: carboxymethylcellulose, locust bean gum, carrageenan Flavorings: smoke extracts, “nature identical fruit flavors Flavor enhancers: monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein Sweeteners: maltodextrin, saccharin, aspartame Antioxidants: L-ascorbic acid and ascorbyl palmitate Miscellaneous: propellants, anti-caking agents, anti-foaming agents, acidifiers, buffers, firming agents etc

Antioxidant Positioning by Top-5 Markets

US Food Additive Regulation GRAS = generally recognized as safe Image source: www.fda.gov/

Test your knowledge about food additives Confectionery that is said to be tooth friendly should contain very little acid or sugar. Sweetness can be obtained by the use of a bulk sweetener such as _______________. Consumers concerned about their bone health can buy products with added _______________, for example, fortified soy drinks. Food products that contain added soluble fibers and specialized proteins (with a low _______________) are said to be useful in boosting feelings of satiety useful for those trying to control their _______________. Those who want to boost their immune system can choose foods rich in antioxidant extracts of fruits, for example apricots or pomegranates, but often like to consume _______________ products such as yogurts. TERMS: antioxidants weight glycemic index probiotic calcium esters Xylitol

Collective Critique of Nutritionism Benefits Problems Can we minimize the problems and sustain the benefits? How?

The Individual and the Commons What we want Status, power Beauty, attractiveness Health & longevity What we will degrade in order to get what we want? Shadow ecologies of the affluent diet Can we consume our way to safety? Sustainability?