Fast Food Nation: Chapter 5: Why the fries taste so good

Fast Food Nation: Chapter 5: Why the fries taste so good

___Who was J.R. Simplot? What connection does J.R. Simplot have to the fast food industry?

J.R. Simplot, or as the author dubs him the " Great potato baron" was basically the potato god! His entire potato industry opened up doors for the fast food industry. J.R. started off traveling from farm to farm with his fancy potato sorter machine catering to different farmers. He soon advanced from taking care of other farmer's needs to buying and selling his own potatoes. As if this amazing accomplishment wasn't enough he later became the largest shipper of potatoes in the west! His industry flourished and he was soon dehydrating potatoes for the army and when the fad came along, invested in frozen food technology. He began selling frozen fries in 1953, but unfortunately the outcome wasn't the skyrocketing success he'd hoped. Being the savvy businessman he is, Simplot made an offer McDonalds just couldn't refuse. He dedicated his business to the production of McDonald's delectable french fries. Linking him directly to the fast food industry as McDonalds if compared to the levels of the Hindu caste system would be on the priest level. Therefor Simplot has a direct connection to the fast food industry since he is not only the sole provider for McDonald's when it comes to fries but to other fast food chains too!

__What makes McDonald's french fries taste different than those of other fast food restaurants?

McDonald's irresistible french fries unique taste is the result of the type of oil they use. For decades the secret behind the taste of America's favorite french fries has been 7% cotton seed oil and an artery clogging 93% beef tallow. Delicious to most, I however find the idea that the fresh fries used to contain more beef per ounce than the hamburgers quite grotesque. I'm glad that in 1990 cholesterol complaints forced the company to switch to vegetable oil! Caps off to those companies that choose that path from the start.

___What are some of the similarities and some of the differences between "artificial flavors" and "natural flavors"? Where is the "flavor industry" located?

As "natural" as natural flavors sound, both flavorings are man-made. The author gives us an example suggesting that perhaps in this case natural in not necessarily the way to go. He states and I quote "When the almond flavor (benzaldehyde) is derived from natural sources such as apricot pits it contains traces of hydrogen cyanide, a deadly poison. Benzaldehyde derived from a different process ...... does not contain hydrogen cyanide". Natural Flavoring means that the flavor's being derived from out-of-date technology, there is nothing healthy and "natural" about it. Both are man-made and contain the same chemicals, it is just a matter of where they come from. The Flavor industry is located off exit 8A in Dayton, New Jersey.