Logos | food-inc-analysis

Claim: We need to change the way that our food is produced.

Reason: It violates animal rights

Grounds: Animals are mistreated or abused by their caretakers or creators.

Warrant: Animals should not be abused, no matter how long their lives may be.

Backing: Most chickens grow such large beasts (thanks to genetic modification) that they are unable to stand for more than a few seconds

Backing: hidden cameras have shown workers kicking chickens into transport crates, or using forklifts to push lame cows.

Backing: Most chickens are grown in dark, crowded coops, and never see the light of day.

Reason: It is unsafe and promotes the spread of disease.

Grounds: The current way that animals are raised and slaughtered increases the chance of spreading disease:

Warrant: people want to be able to trust that the food that they eat will not make them sick

Backing: Most cows are raised on a diet consisting primarily of corn, which promotes the growth of E. coli O157 in their gut.

Backing: Cattle and pork usually arrive to the slaughter house covered in fecal matter, which easily spread to the meat during processing.

Backing: There are numerous reported cases of young children dying from E. coli O157 from infected meat.

Reason: It promotes an unhealthy diet

Grounds: It is cheaper to purchase a meal from a fast food restaurant than to cook a balanced meal yourself.

Warrant: Most Americans want to have a healthy yet affordable diet.

Warrant: A continuous unhealthy diet can promote diabetes.

Backing: A head of broccoli or a couple of pears are more expensive than a cheese burger at Burger King.

Backing: Junk food is a lot cheaper than most produce or fresh foods.

Backing: Most of the foods that are cheap are made from primarily subsidized foods that can be purchased for less that its production cost.