In his best- selling book Fast Food Nation, American writer Eric Schlosser says he used to eat a lot of fast food. It was cheap and convenient and he thought it tasted quite good. But he doesn’t eat it any more. His book explains why.
Schlosser describes the amazing size of the fast food business. Americans spend over $100 billion a year on fast food. Every day about a quarter of them visit a fast food restaurant. The three largest companies have more than 60,000 restaurants across the world, and they open several new ones every day.
Schlosser’s description of these huge restaurant chains is depressing. The food is prepared in factories, and chemicals are added to improve its taste and smell. From Melbourne to Moscow, the restaurants always look the same. They all serve same meals, which are cooked by machines. The people who work in the kitchens don’t learn any skills and they very badly paid.
Two-thirds of America’s fast food workers are under 20.
Young people are also important customers. Advertisements are often designed specially for children, who may get toys and games when they go for a meal. Companies even pay schools to advertise burgers and soft drinks. But these products are unhealthy because they contain a lot of fat and sugar. About 25% of the young people in America are overweight and the problem is getting worse.
I was shocked by the information Schlosser gives us, and I’ll certainly think twice before I order my next burger and fries.
Recognising facts and opinions. Do these sentences give facts or opinions? Write F(fact) or O(opinion).
1. Fast food tastes good.
2. Americans spend over $100 billion a year on fast food.
3. The biggest companies open new restaurants every day.
4. Schlosser’s description is depressing.
5. The meals are cooked by machines.
