Food Wars : The Global Battle for Mouths, Minds and Markets

* "An important book that should be read by everyone who cares about how the way food is produced affects our own health as well as that of the environment and our national economies" --Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics * Outlines policy debates on where food is to come from; who makes/grows/sells it; and what consumers can do * Sets out the options for the future--how to provide wholesome food and a healthy environment The growth of a single global market is having far-reaching impacts on what we eat and profound implications for public health. In developing countries, endemic problems of a "Western" diet are found alongside food shortages. What matters now is not just what we eat but how it has been produced, distributed, and processed--a global politics of food and health. In the first full examination of these developments, the authors describe the two quite different paradigms of the production and supply of food that are competing to replace the industrial productionist model dominant over the last century. One centers on the life sciences, the other on an ecological approach. Food Wars argues that both have strong support but one dominates investment. Both draw on biology but differ in their social and political understanding. The authors argue that the outcome of the "Food Wars" is hugely important for food security and whether the enormous inequities in the present system are tackled.

The growth of a single global market is having far-reaching and profound effects on what we eat, with corresponding implications for public health. This is the first full examination, by two of the world's leading food policy experts, of these developments.From nutrition to antibiotics, from heart disease to food poisoning, what matters now is not just what we eat, but how it has been produced, distributed and processed. A new, global politics of food and health is emerging. In the North the linkages of trade, food and health have been apparent in the reactions to BSE in beef and GM crops. In many developing countries endemic problems of a 'Western' diet have been imported, so that coronary disease, food-related cancers, obesity and diabetes are found alongside food shortages. The policy responses continue to be contradictory, with health ministries trying to stem the rise of food-related disease, while trade ministers commit their food and agriculture industries to the policies that cause the problems. The authors show how public health cannot be regarded as a barrier to 'free' trade, under agreements that allow powerful corporations and rich consumers to treat the world as their larder. Giving it the importance it demands will require a new, ecological and population-based conception of public health. There are many signs that this is emerging as one of the main political agendas of the new century. The book will be essential and stimulating reading for everyone professionally or academically involved — or merely concerned — with health policy, agricultural and food policy and globalization issues.

The growth of a single global market is having far-reaching and profound effects on what we eat, with corresponding implications for public health. This is the first full examination, by two of the world's leading food policy experts, of these developments.From nutrition to antibiotics, from heart disease to food poisoning, what matters now is not just what we eat, but how it has been produced, distributed and processed. A new global politics of food and health is emerging. In the North, the linkages of trade, food and health have been apparent in the reactions to BSE in beef and GM crops. In many developing countries, endemic problems of a "Western" diet have been imported, so that coronary disease, food-related cancers, obesity and diabetes are found alongside food shortages. The policy responses continue to be contradictory, with health ministries trying to stem the rise of food-related disease, while trade ministers commit their food and agriculture industries to the policies that cause the problems.The authors show how public health cannot be regarded as a barrier to "free" trade, under agreements that allow powerful corporations and rich consumers to treat the world as their larder. Giving it the importance it demands will require a new, ecological and population-based conception of public health. There are many signs that this is emerging to be one of the main political agendas of the coming century.The book will be essential and stimulating reading for everyone professionally or academically involved -- or merely concerned -- with health, agricultural, and food policies and globalization issues. 'Food Wars is a heartening book which calls for a radical change in the way the world feeds itself. It offers a blueprint for a future where nobody goes to bed hungry.'Derek Cooper, founder presenter of the BBC's Food Programme'An important book that should be read by everyone who cares about how the way food is produced affects our own health as well as that of the environment and our national economies.'Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics, and Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, New York University The emergence of global markets has a far-reaching impact on what we eat and on health, food security, social justice and quality of life. What matters now is not just what we eat, but how and where it has been produced, distributed and processed, and the assumptions upon which this production is based - a global politics of food and health. Food Wars argues that two conflicting paradigms (one developing food through integrating the'life sciences', the other though'ecology') are battling to replace the dominant industrial-productionist model of the 20th century, both grappling to attract investment, public support and policy legitimacy over the appropriate use of biology and food technologies. Food Wars Argues That Two Conflicting Paradigms (one Developing Food Through Integrating The 'life Sciences', The Other Through Integrating 'ecology') Are Battling To Replace The Dominant Industrial-productionist Model Of The 20th Century, Both Grappling To Attract Investment, Public Support And Policy Legitimacy Over The Appropriate Use Of Biology And Food Technologies.--jacket. The Food Wars Thesis -- Diet And Health: Diseases And Food -- The Policy Responses To Diet And Disease -- The Food Wars Business -- The Consumer Culture War -- The Quality War: Putting Public And Environmental Health Together? -- Food Democracy Or Food Control? -- The Future. Tim Lang And Michael Heasman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Food Wars argues that two conflicting paradigms (one developing food through integrating the 'life sciences', the other through integrating 'ecology') are battling to replace the dominant industrial-productionist model of the 20th century, both grappling to attract investment, public support and policy legitimacy over the appropriate use of biology and food technologies."--BOOK JACKET