Fast Food Nation

The film opens with an ironic delivery of a pizza to the secretive Cheyenne Mountain military base in Colorado. This event sets the tone for the exploration of American culture through the juxtaposition of fast-food wrappers and military artifacts.

Schlosser traces the evolution of fast food, noting its parallel rise alongside the automobile industry. He illustrates the drastic shift from independent eateries to the dominance of homogenous franchises, reshaping the culinary landscape across America.

The documentary reveals McDonald's kid-centric marketing strategies inspired by The Walt Disney Company. Ronald McDonald's creation aimed to captivate children while also engaging their families, thereby establishing a lifelong brand loyalty.

Schlosser criticizes the corporate sponsorship of schools, where 80% of the sponsored materials reflect the sponsors’ biases. He highlights the concerning number of high schools offering fast food options in their cafeterias, demonstrating a troubling trend in educational settings.

The exploration of the meatpacking industry reveals the harsh realities faced by vulnerable immigrant workers. These workers endure high injury rates and are often subjected to hazardous practices that compromise their safety and health.

Schlosser divulges alarming practices within companies like IBP, Inc., including rendering dead livestock and mixing chicken manure into cattle feed. These procedures contribute to significant health concerns, including the risk of BSE and dangerous bacteria.

The film examines how globalization has affected obesity rates in countries like China and Japan. Schlosser links these rising health concerns with the increasing presence of fast-food chains, raising questions about global dietary shifts.

Schlosser discusses how the fear of BSE has influenced U.S. government policies regarding cattle farming. He suggests that many of the documented problems in the meat industry could be addressed with stronger political commitment to safety and regulation.

Don Anderson, the marketing director for Mickey's, learns about concerning research regarding fecal matter in their meat supply. This knowledge prompts him to visit the Uni-Globe meatpacking plant in Cody, Colorado, to investigate further.

During his visit to Uni-Globe, Don Anderson only sees sanitized workspaces, but he becomes increasingly skeptical due to warnings from rancher Rudy Martin. This interaction raises concerns about the hidden dangers linked to meat production.

Amber, a dedicated employee at Mickey's, dreams of college but feels trapped in her mundane job. Her determination highlights the struggles of those wishing to escape the confines of a low-wage, unsatisfying work environment.

Amber encounters a group of young idealists working to liberate cattle from Uni-Globe. Their mission unveils deeper revelations about the realities faced by livestock and the complexities of animal captivity.

Raul and his companions, Sylvia and Coco, navigate life as undocumented immigrants in Colorado. Their pursuit of better opportunities reveals the harsh challenges they face, including exploitation and personal struggles.

After Raul suffers a workplace accident, he grapples with feelings of helplessness. This incident leads Sylvia to compromise her values in a desperate attempt to secure employment at Uni-Globe, highlighting the tough choices faced by immigrant workers.

The struggles culminate in Sylvia ending up on the perilous 'kill floor' of Uni-Globe. This dark turn illustrates the grim realities of the fast-food supply chain and the human costs of cheap meat production.