Organic Food

Organic foods now occupy prominent shelf space in the produce and dairy aisles of most mainstream U.S. food retailers. The marketing boom has pushed retail sales of organic foods up to $21.1 billion in 2008 from $3.6 billion in 1997. U.S. organic-industry growth is evident in an expanding number of retailers selling a wider variety of foods, the development of private-label product lines by many supermarkets, and the widespread introduction of new products (Frost: 14). A broader range of consumers has been buying more varieties of organic food.

If you compare the eating habits of Americans with Italians, you will see that they have quite different styles. The fact is that Americans are not used to one typical single cuisine, like Italians. Their food consists of a mix of variety of foods from around the world. You will easily come across Mexican, Italian and Chinese restaurants all across America and situated next to one another. Americans do not have any deep-rooted cooking culture like Italians. One might as well profess that the most unique and typical American food is the junk and fast food types, coupled with soft drinks.

Fast foods usually consumed by Americans are fast to prepare, cheap and tasty. But these are also high in fat, sodium, calories, sugar and cholesterol. Some of the negative and expensive heath results are obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol and cancer (Cobb & Stephen: 59). For example, McDonald's is a major symbol of the United States lifestyle and culture. In fact, the idea of a fast restaurant meal has completely changed eating habits and referred to as McDonaldization. Almost a generation ago, close to three quarters of meals eaten by Americans were home made, but these days more and more number of people prefer fast food restaurants to home made food; mainly because its quick, cheap and tasty, and American families do not have enough time to cook up a full meal at home.

Obesity is posing as one of the major health problems throughout America. It is a state characterized by an accumulation of weight that is often caused by incorrect eating habits coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. It is also been universally recognized as a major risk factor for chronic diseases.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, labelling of food as 'Natural' depends on whether it follows the following criteria: (1) the product does not contain any artificial flavor or ...