Food Wars

by Tim Lang, Michael Heasman

In the years since publication of the first edition of "Food Wars "much has happened in the world of food policy. This new edition brings these developments fully up to date within the original analytical framework of competing paradigms or worldviews shaping the direction and decision-making within food politics and policy.

The key theme of the importance of integrating human and environmental health has become even more pressing. In the first edition the authors set out and brought together the different strands of emerging agendas and competing narratives. The second edition retains the same core structure and includes updated examples, case studies and the new issues which show how these conflicting tendencies have played out in practice over recent years and what this tells us about the way the global food system is heading. Examples of key issues given increased attention include:


nutrition, including the global rise in obesity, as well as chronic conditions, hunger and under-nutrition the environment, particularly the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, water stress and food security food industry concentration and market power volatility and uncertainty over food prices and policy responses tensions over food, democracy and citizenship social and cultural aspects impacting food and nutrition policies.

Genres: Food, Economics, Nonfiction

310 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2003

Reviews

[M A H THOMLINSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the second edition. It is full of really interesting, very well-researched and sometimes startling information. The authors give a resounding deconstruction of the utter failure of the existing food system- evidence that diet is a major cause of *most* health issues afflicting us today has been around for decades, yet policy continues to accept the food industry's preference for soft, "health education"-type approaches to combatting these issues.

The book spends most of its time running through what IS, while the 'Food Wars' in question are: well what comes next? Two paradigms are discussed and presented in opposition to each other and to the existing, 'productionist' paradigm.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very well researched. It was an interesting read that made me think about food choices and politics on a global scale. It was a little tough slugging because of the detailed content but just the fact that I made it through when I generally don't enjoy reading non-fiction books says a lot.

[Dr. K Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good source of background information regarding how food companies compete for your food dollar and gives nice insight into how they develop marketing strategies to out-compete each other for your "mouth". Might be dry to those who don't like academic or "dry" writing styles but this has enough juicy information to keep the reader hooked.

[Martinxo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful and informative books for anyone interested (concerned) about our food, where it comes from, who controls it and what may happen to it. Looking forward to seeing his new book, published earlier this year.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you care about what you put in your mouth, read this. Big agriculture permeates our lives, our choices and our health more than you might otherwise think. Whether your inclination is to act individually or politically, it's at least good to know the lay of the land.

[Yana Manyukhina · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my review of the book please go to http://ediblematters.wordpress.com/20...

[Marit Beelaerts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and well written, also I didn’t find it too long! There is so much to say about the topic.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating information. Horrific writing.