CAFO: The Contaminated Food System

      

The industrial animal factories are an intricate business, which supplies large quantity of meat to the consumers on cheap prices. But what this cheap meat actually cost us? is the big question. There are several kinds of things blended in the 'meat' which we take in without knowing or caring about the contents. Those things are dangerous chemicals such as: arsenic, ammonia, mercury, pehsticides, and synthetic hormones, antibiotics that may cause drug-resistant infections and many more health problems, which also means many more medical bills.

 The way the food industry processes, food is inhumane and improper. Animals like cows and pigs are killed and left bleeding profusely without any concern and care. Industrial Animal Factories confine animals under unnatural conditions, which not only are hurtful but also do a great harm to the consumers, the society and the environment. On the contrary, animal husbandry raises animals under natural conditions and gives proper care to animals. In reality, the animals raised as cattle by our meat industry lead a miserable and emotionally disturbing existence. They are forced to live in such conditions and are tortured to extreme.

         Noticing all my perspective on this subject matter made me question about the food I consume and its contents which are mostly obscure. The question is that "Can we trust the food in America by the food industry" where public has no right to access information about the food they are consuming. This system totally lacks transparency; no third party can inspect what’s going on in the CAFOs.  People are kept unaware of the fact about what they are eating.

     Also these industries produce a lot of waste which are dumped in lagoons that eventually contaminate the environment. CAFOs generates several different types of gases such as, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and other toxic gases which are danger to human health and also a great hazard to Mother Nature. These animal industries are one of the biggest reasons of global warming. We need a system which is safe and healthy, not a system which causes disastrous effects for our present and future generation.    

In such businesses, government has no control over them. Many owners of the corporate businesses have the political powers with the help of which they run the CAFO systems. Many of such owners are not answerable to the society for any harm or spoiled conditions. Even though the consumption of such food is high, the society takes no action against them. The high demand for cheap meat products gives these animal industries the power to control the people. Because no matter what they produce and how they produce, it’s in demand and not many people are aware and concerned about the food they consume.

 In conclusion, over this semester, I have acknowledged a lot about the food systems, their terms and what goes in there. The society needs a change in the food system than being affected badly by it. Big change is needed in our eating habits to create a healthy tomorrow. CAFO system if weakening our ecosystem, our healths and our morals. Before CAFOs ruins our whole lifespan we have to put an end to this system. This is only possible if we go green, and adopt organic food culture in our life time or substitute animal industries with animal husbandries like happy old times. I’ve spread the word. Now it’s your turn to take a step forward and support the cause.