Synopsis

Food, Sex and Salmonella By: David Wfaltner-Toews

After reading a part of David Waltner-Toews book Food, Sex, and Salmonella I have come to conclude that there are many more things out in the world that can seriously harm or even kill ourselves when ingested. The author presented many astonishing facts and information regarding seafood toxins and how the little things hurt the most, literally. He mentioned various toxins carried by sea creatures such as Tetrodotoxin, Domoic Acid, and Ciguatoxin, and how they can be either fatal, or severely harmful to the human body if digested. For example, it is said that 60% of the people who eat the toxin in its concentrated form will die. (Food, Sex and Salmonella Pg175) Unfortunately these toxins will not just disappear overnight; shellfish are constantly on the move accumulating them, along with other harmful bacteria. (Food, Sex and Salmonella Pg 182) He proves that although our Nation may think otherwise, but natural toxins can be just as bad, in some cases even worse that those manufactured by people. Yet industries still export these cleansed shellfish, risking countless peoples lives. Risk is another factor used by industries to make a few bucks. The author informs us how many companies use harmful toxins on their products and brush it off their shoulders as if it were nothing (i.e: Austrian wine made with Antifreeze as a sweetener.) (Food, Sex and Salmonella Pg 187) It is sick how companies would risk the lives of people solely for more profit. Scientists who test these foods for safety are not considering all the outcomes. They do not consider the species they are testing on nor the dosage they are giving them. The author explains, if a rat gets cancer caused by a high dose, does it cause cancer in people in a low dose? Have they thought that humans have different sensitivities/resistance to certain chemicals? With that being said, The toxins are very dangerous to our health, yet why doesnt anybody know of them? When we see natural food, we think of comfort, energy, etc. We dont however, think of it being fatal? An average person eats over 72,000 meals in his/her lifetime (film: Food Machine), but they dont even know of the chemicals found in many of the foods we eat. Is it for profit? On the other hand, nowadays people do not really care for what is in their food, as long as it looks and tastes good. We believe what the media wants us to believe (i.e.: It would be hard to convince somebody that milk is actually bad for you because of all the positive publicity milk has.) Lastly, Because of our growing population, will that effect how toxic our food will be? I have come to an understanding that we do contribute to the amount of toxins in our food. However, or population is well on its way to exceeding 8 billion people. (Film: Food Machine) With such a high number, will we change our ways? The author of the text admitted to some of the toxins being caused by pollution and global warming, therefore will more people in this world increase the risk of toxins in our food?