256: Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition, and Health by Marion Nestle

Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition, and Health

In this authoritative work nutritionist Marion Nestle examines the history of nutritional advice and explains how the food industry games government regulations and advisory boards to their benefit. Arguing that governmental advice should benefit the consumer rather than the producer, Nestle exhaustively demonstrates how this is often not the case. This work will help you understand why sometimes the nutritional advice you get from the USDA may not be in your best interest.

Why this is progressive/liberal: Progressives prefer science to PR spin. Information about nutrition should come from research and scientific investigation rather than the media departments of the food industry. Marion Nestle dissects the misinformation and explains how it even contaminates government reports on nutrition.

330: Merchants of Grain by Dan Morgan

Merchants of Grain: The Power and Profits of the Five Giant Companies at the Center of the World's Food Supply by Dan Morgan

Published in 1979, and so a little dated, this book by Dan Morgan takes a look at the secretive food companies and their influence on our food supply and legislative food policy. Despite its age it still provides tremendous insight into how much power we have ceded to private corporations. The story is even more compelling when you realize that they have only gained more power and control in the 30+ years since this was written.

Why this is progressive/liberal: Progressives don't like secretive institutions influencing important institutions. There are certain elements of a democratic society in which the citizens should have a say, and food is near the top of that list.

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