05/12/06 New book on fast foods denounced

05/12/06 New book on fast foods denounced

Farm and Ranch May 12, 2006 The author who wrote "Fast Food Nation," Eric Schlosser, is out with a new book "Chew on This, Everything You Didn't Want to Know About Fast Food." While the New York Times reviewer called the book "A fine piece of muckraking" agricultural groups are denouncing the publication. Here's Karen Bonaudi, Assistant Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission; Bonaudi: "The consensus is that this is a book that is just out there to scare people and go after sales. It is aimed at junior high students and what it tells them are all the dangers of fast food. Not only the dangers of eating fast food, but the dangers to the environment, the cruelty to animals, and it really does contain outright fabrications, but also just general scare tactics." The book's cover includes a cartoon depiction of French fries dripping in grease and a soft drink labeled "biohazard." Bonaudi says what's important is that everyone, especially young children, have real information. Bonaudi: "We really think it is too bad that there is so much sensationalized misinformation out there that is just leading people astray." Bonaudi directs consumers to potatoes.com to get a free copy of the booklet "The Truth about Potatoes." Genuine information about food production can be found at bestfoodnation.com That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
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