'Best' response to Fast Food Nation

In a direct response to Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation, the upcoming movie based on the book, and his new book Chew On This, a coalition of food industry groups* has created the "Best Food Nation" website.

BestFoodNation.com claims that it "offers the facts about the U.S. food supply, which is among the safest, most affordable and most abundant food supplies in the world. The food and hospitality industries have joined together to tell our story; the positive impact made by each participant along the chain, to separate fact from fiction, and to set the record straight about Best Food Nation."

Meanwhile, Schlosser claims since the May release of Chew On This the food industry is attacking him unfairly: "It was very revealing of how the (fast-food) industry operates. Rather than engage in discussion of the issues I raised, instead of talking about obesity or the treatment of animals or aggressive marketing to the poor, they attempted to besmirch my reputation. I got called anti-American, a socialist, anti-immigrant, a racist — completely crazy stuff. They are very eager to prevent young people from reading it" [Toronto Star]

*The industry groups behind the site are: American Farm Bureau Federation, American Meat Institute, Cattlemen's Beef Board, Corn Refiners Association, Food Products Association, International Franchise Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Council of Chain Restaurants, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, National Potato Council, National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, National Turkey Federation, Snack Food Association, U.S. Potato Board, and United Egg Producers.