Eric Schlosser

As a matter of fact, most cases of food poisoning are never linked back to their source.

I think there should be very strict limits on the pathogens that can be sold in your meat. There should be limits on disease-causing pathogens. Tests should determine whether the meat is contaminated or not, and you shouldn't be allowed to sell contaminated meat.

Firstly, should we be selling and buying irradiated meat? I think that's up to the consumer, ultimately. But the second point is, this irradiated meat should be clearly and unmistakably labeled as irradiated meat.

The importance of recalls is to show that contaminated meat is getting out the door. And when you look at these recalls, in many ways the most disturbing thing about these recalls is how little of the meat actually winds up back at the plant.

I've been called communist, socialist, anti-American.

I hadn't planned on being an activist.

Hey, I used to eat at McDonald's: I liked the taste of the food, especially the French fries.

By birth and upbringing, I think I'm emotionally resilient. I don't feel like I'm a depressive person.

I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach.

I think it's important that people know what they are eating and especially to know what their children are eating.

Most fast food is fried. Fried food tastes great, and people don't seem to care about the fat aspect.

Fast food chains spend a large amount of marketing to get the attention of children. People form their eating habits as children so they try to nurture clients as youngsters.

I was introduced to the world of modern food production in the mid-1990s, while researching an article about California's strawberry industry for the 'Atlantic Monthly.'

I really like hamburgers and French fries, and I don't consider myself some kind of gourmand.

It's possible to go to the market, buy good ingredients, and make yourself a healthy meal for less than it costs to buy a value meal at McDonald's.

I can understand why a single parent, working two jobs, would find it easier to stop at McDonald's with the kids rather than cook something from scratch at home.

Very few people realize that the U.S. government does not have the power to order the recall of contaminated meat.

The symptoms of food poisoning often don't appear for days after the contaminated meal was eaten. As a result, most cases of food poisoning are never properly diagnosed.

By the way, I'm not a vegetarian. I have a lot of respect for people who are vegetarian for religious or ethical reasons.

McDonald's has been extraordinary at site selection; it was a pioneer in studying the best places for retail locations. One of the things it did is study very carefully where sprawl was headed.

Fast food is popular because it's convenient, it's cheap, and it tastes good. But the real cost of eating fast food never appears on the menu.