Pandora’s Lunchbox by M. Warner, Book Review Example

Summary and Review

In the book: Pandora’s Lunchbox, Warner describes how food processing technologies and industry methods changed people’s diets. She states in the introduction of the book: “As a population, we ingest double the amount of added fats, half the fiber, 60 percent more added sugars, three and a half times more sodium, and infnitely greater quantities of corn and soybean ingredients than we did in 1909” (Warner, 2013, p. XIV). The author describes how the food industry slowly replaces most of the ingredients that do not have the “desired” qualities and characteristics with synthetic solutions. They sell ingredients as “corn”, while in reality they are synthetically created starch additives. While people pay less for food today than any other time in history, compared with the average income, they are in the belief that food items are prepared the way they would make them at home, in their kitchen. The main problem with this approach is that it misleads customers, and makes them believe that they make healthy food choices, but they do not. Muffins are made of muffin-like food, and Greek-style yogurts are manufactured to taste just like Greek yogurt, while in reality, they eat a simple milk product with added texturing system.

Stakeholder Responsibility and Business Strategy of Firms

The business strategy that the food manufacturers engage in is based on reducing costs and increasing operational profits. Many of the CEO-s would explain their decision and defend their actions stating that they are only benefiting the customer. Manufacturing blueberry muffins of real blueberries would increase the cost of the product, while it would reduce the shelf time of the muffin. The question is, however, not whether or not customers get a price advantage, but how these products are marketed for them. The food scientist and manufacturing community focuses on some stakeholders, but not others. They believe that by increasing profits and making production simpler, they will benefit their shareholders and the community. However, indeed, they trick people into buying something they believe is the “real thing”. Further, many of the health claims displayed on the packaging of the food items are unrealistic, and misleading. By preserving food, manufacturers simply reduce the vitamin content of the meal, and they decide to add it back into the product in synthetic form. The human body, however, is unable to make use of these synthetic vitamins the same way they would if they were in their original form.

The reputation of food manufacturing companies is mainly determined by their financial success, and that is why they create a strategic management plan that focuses on reducing costs and increasing revenue. They keep the quiet about the negative aspects of the product and emphasize the positives. As Warner (2013, p. 191) confirms: “”It is very confusing to consumers when you see things like sugary cereal that say ‘high in fiber’ or ‘good source of vitamins,'” while in reality, one serving has more sodium and sugar than an adult’s daily allowance. While the companies do not act illegally, as many food additives are not regulated by the FDA, companies are allowed to use petroleum-based colorants and other additives in food. Companies ignore corporate social responsibility, when using scientifically engineered additives that have not been tested based on their effect on human health.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Book

The main strength of the book is that it creates a strong argument describing the lack of FDA regulation regarding food additives and colorants. It is based on years of research and expert opinions. However, it fails to describe a framework that would be useful to regulate the use of “food-like”, scientifically created ingredients in food products.

Warner, M. (2013) Pandora’s lunchbox. How processed food took over the American diet. Scribner.