Safe Food: The Politics of Food Safety (California Studies in Food and Culture) (Volume 5)

This review is of the updated (2010) edition of Professor Nestle's book first published in 2003.While the main body of the text is full of examples that now seem far away in time, this book remains worth reading for those seeking an understanding of the cross currents still alive in the national policy debates over safe food. (For those following current events, there is pending legislation in the U.S. Senate that would reform federal food safety policy.)I do think the author is correct in her assertion that food safety is as much about politics as science. Social norms, commercial realities, and other factors often do trump pure science.This is decidedly a book written by an advocate: one who sees corporations as bad actors (unless the firm is Ben and Jerry's) and one who is sold on both a King's Cure--human pathogen testing and HACCP--and, above all, one single federal food agency.Professor Nestle believes that with more government inspectors working for one powerful food agency, all auditing and enforcing private farms' and processors' paper-work systems, which in turn would be based on the best available science (unless some other social good trumps), we would have a country with fewer people sick from what they eat.Meanwhile, I think most people in American agriculture do have good motives and find it amazing that this country feeds 300 hundred-plus million every day with so relatively few food safety incidents.

"Safe Food" is a terrific look at our nation's food supply and its safety. This book covers pathogens, genetic modifications and bioterrorism. It is also a look behind the scenes at how our democracy affects what foods end up on our plates. Corporations choose profits over public health, government sides with industry rather than consumers, corruption, greed, and ineptitude are all part of this fascinating story.The kindle version of this book is not perfect. Some diagrams and charts were cut off or difficult to follow. Though maybe now slightly out of date, overall, "Safe Food" is an important book, and one well worth reading by anyone concerned about the quality of the food we eat.

I experienced this book as a strong, smart overview on issues of food safety and politics. Marion Nestle, originally trained as a microbiologist, is a highly respected scholar, advocate, and professor of food studies and sociology at New York University. This book is very well written for an audience of curious-minded general readers as well as scholars and students in food studies.

Arrived on time for my class.

Good book, enlightening for anyone in the food industry or who just wants to know more about food safety.

Excellent book. Marion Nestle is a rockstar within the food and nutrition world. This is an in-depth look at how our food is produced and distributed. It may shock you, but it will certainly be informative.

You will never eat pre-packaged hamburger purchased from chain grocery stores again. Nestle's book is a must-read for people who are interested in food policy.

I HAVE READ ALL DR. NESTLE'S WORKS AND SHE BASICALLY STARTED ME ON THE HEALTHY NUTRITIONAL PATH. SHE IS MY GODDESS.

I thought it would be a better read. The author covered almost all topics in a superficial manner, especially GM food and RGBH. There's lots of blablabla and little interesting information in the book if the person reading has already an advanced knowledge about the subjects being covered. The price of the book is also definitely not worth it. There are a wealth of information about the dangers of RGBH by Canandian and European govt documents out there, but the author didn't cover any of it-- nor did she cover about the leaked documents of Monsanto form the FDA during the 90's which showed all sorts of toxicological problems with this product and the subsequent congressional investigation that followed about possible cover up from the FDA and Monsanto regarding the dangers of RGBH. If you want a proper book on RGBH, read " What's in your milk", from Dr. Epstein.