Fast Food Nation Summary

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In Eric Schlosser’s thought provoking book work, Fast Food Nation, the underlying truths of one of the most lucrative fields of the world unfold. Schlosser ingeniously journeys through the world of fast foods, noting the emergence of the “nation”, presenting background information on the founding of the idea of fast food services, more specifically focusing in on the blueprint set by worldwide franchises, while vividly depicting the production of fast foods, explicitly detailing the inward operation of slaughterhouses, and over viewing labor contention. Examining Schlosser’s works, this paper is targeting the innovation and effects of the Iowa Beef Processing (IBP) revolution on the meat market industry regarding labor alterations, and legal…show more content…
The layout was created with the intent to move beef carcasses around on conveyers, having the plant single leveled. The process constituted the slaughtering, and an immediate refrigeration; the process was completed in a colder climate. The temperature change reduced the likelihood of the shrinkage of the meat. The goal had been to save in production, but also in shipping. Beyond those goals, IBP introduced the development of boxed beef, where carcasses were dismantled in sub-primals, and shipped pre-packaged in a box. IBP’s development of boxed beef introduced convenience to both consumers and supermarkets. IBP had expanded, ultimately by demand. The purpose of boxed meat was to eliminate the shipment of fat, bones, and trimming which would ultimately cut the cost of transportation and preserve energy, as cattle was fabricated into “smaller cuts”. The company had also concluded options of refiguring what would be considered waste, such as bones and excess fats, into saleable materials, byproducts such as dog food. Grinders were also installed into the plants, allowing hamburger meat to be immediately created. The efforts put forth completely transformed the entire meat industry. While some may consider IBP’s actions more of an exploitative transformation, others view it as an economic…show more content…
Production had reduced, and the strike had ultimately limited began to limit the company’s cash flow. IBP’s goal was to now become a part of and gain acceptance in New York. IBP expressed an ardent desire to transport it’s products into what was deemed the nation’s largest beef market, the New York metropolitan area. Butchers apart of the union, however, infuriated, had been leading boycotts with unions. They feared that allowing boxed beef into the area, it would cut the need for butchers. Major player Moe Steinman, titled a labor consultant, had extended a proposition, offering to assist the ending of the boycotts in return for a definite five cent commission for every ten pounds of beef that was sold by IBP in the area. Holman made a deal with Steinman, as he had connections with underworld ties to obtain contracts with New York supermarket chains. The commission was a summed up surcharge of nearly $1 million on all beef sold within the city, targeting the Manhattan area. This surcharge was told to have been used to pay off union officials and supermarket executives. Steinman also had several members of his family, and friends appointed in very important positions apart of the IBP

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