Detailed Book Review: A Critical Analysis of The Omnivore's Dilemma

This book review delves into Michael Pollan's 'The Omnivore's Dilemma,' exploring the impact of industrialization on food choices and consumption patterns. The review analyzes the book's three main sections: the industrialization of corn, the realities of organic farming, and the author's personal experiences with hunting and gathering. It highlights Pollan's arguments about the loss of personalization in food procurement due to industrial processes and examines the environmental and nutritional implications. The review also discusses noteworthy aspects from each section, such as the prevalence of high fructose corn syrup, the discrepancies in organic farming practices, and the benefits of reconnecting with food sources. The assignment concludes with a recommendation for students to read the book to gain a deeper understanding of the modern food system.

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Executive Summary
The following paragraphs of this review aim to shed light on the key insights, arguments and
information presented in Michael Pollan’s book, ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’. Through this book,
the author attempts to provide an extensive insight in to the gradual loss of personalization
encountered by humans during food consumption and procurement due to the hindrances caused
by industrialization. The first section focuses extensively on the industrialization of a relatively
staple food corn in the diets of Americans leading to its nutritional losses. The second section
encompasses the true mechanism underlying the nutritional and environmental benefits claimed
by organic farming. With the third section, the author explores his relationship with food through
hunting gathering techniques.

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Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Brief Overview................................................................................................................3
Discussion............................................................................................................................4
Industrial – Corn..............................................................................................................4
Pastoral – Grass...............................................................................................................6
Personal – The Forest......................................................................................................9
Recommendation and Conclusion.....................................................................................11
References..........................................................................................................................12

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Introduction
The non fictitious book, ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’ has been written by American
Pollan and was published in the year 2006. Through this book, Pollan (2006) seemingly
questions the detrimental loss of our once beloved relationship with food, which was once
heavily dependent on influencing factors such as cultural preferences and personal palatability.
With present day advancements in science and technology, Pollan (2006) discusses the
extensive intrusion of industrialization in our dinner tables, resulting in the provision of a variety
of food choices further leading to considerable anxiety upon raising a seemingly harmless
question enquiring about what should one eat for dinner. Hence, the following paragraphs of this
review will explore extensively this emerging paradoxical relationship we encounter during food
consumption at present, by conducting and examination of the three primary sections of this
book: Industrial – Corn, Pastoral – Grass, Personal – The Forest.
Brief Overview
In this book, Pollan (2006) begins with the diagnosis that the United States is at present,
suffering from a ‘national eating disorder’. He seeks to introduce the reader the central argument
of this book, how a simple of question of selecting one’s foods for dinner has become an intrinsic
human shortcoming fuelled by industrialization and the resultant food availability, since,
considering that humans are omnivores and hence, food selection should come as a relatively
simple act driven by natural availability and cultures. Pollan (2006) then proceeds with the major
section of this book by focusing on the three major aspects of the food system guiding the dietary
choices of Americans – industrialization, organic farming and traditional hunting gathering.
Pollan (2006) examines the key processes of industrialization in the initial sections of this book,

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by focusing extensively on corn - a once American staple now industrialized heavily in the form
artificial additives and loss of natural farming practices. In the second section, Pollan (2006),
attempts to discover the fallacies and shortcoming hidden underneath the emerging trends of
organic farming. In the final section of his book, Pollan (2006) seeks to explore his experiences
with traditional hunting gathering as a means of obtaining food, noting that despite the
inconveniences presented by the same, the activity provides an enlightening aspect on the
restoration to one’s personalization with food.
Discussion
Industrial – Corn
In the first section of his book, Pollan (2006), attempts to introduce readers to the effects
of industrialization on the changing nature of the country’s dietary landscape by focusing on
corn. The author notes the immense versatility of corn annealed intricately with the diet of
citizens, as a stable, as a fast food ingredient and even as a key ingredient underlying the
formulation of various food additives (Pollan, 2006). Indeed as observe by Jain, Rastogi and
Chanana (2016), corn not only is a carbohydrate stable in a number of American main dishes, but
is also a popular street food, snack delicacy as well as a supplementary ingredient in additional
dishes in the form of corn flour or corn syrup. As observed by Pollan (2006) as well as
researched by Ai and Jane (2016), corn has blended successfully into the lives and diets of
Americans, by adopting the role of a food ingredient, fuel as well as an alcoholic product.
Historically, European establishment of settlements led to the discovery of corn as a key
ingredient in native indigenous diets, sparking off its dissemination. Taking insights from Pollan
(2006) as well from the research conducted by Mallarino et al., (2016), the success of corn has

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been associated with its capability of adapting to various climatic conditions, high resistance to
adverse agricultural circumstances and high rates of production. However, it is here that Pollan
(2006) exposes the effects of industrial ruin on the natural aspect of this humble food ingredient.
Technological advancement and genetic alterations have now provided farmers with the
opportunity to grow the crop in abundance, of which a majority find their foot prints in the
creation of detrimental ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup or in the feeds of animals not
intrinsically developed to metabolize corn, such as poultry, cows and fishes (Pollan, 2006).
Pollan (2006) strengthens his stands on the above arguments by highlighting his
experiences of visiting a farm in Iowa, where the farmers use countless chemical means and
pesticides to bolster the growth of corn resulting in an impossibility to trace the true origins of
retail products of corn since the majority of the same are processed industrially. To further gain
insights into the animal intolerances towards corn, Pollan further observed the plight of a steer
534, who is force fed a corn based meal in a feedlot rather than the naturally preferred and
beneficial pastoral grazing. Despite the benefits of such feeding in the production of the nation’s
preferred marbled meat, such diets are met with intolerance from cows and other species
resulting in sickness, infiltration of medications for mitigation and further loss of natural
components in our key food ingredients (Pollan, 2006).
The final sections of this chapter is what I found to be noteworthy and strikingly thought
provoking. Pollan (2006) notes how a major chunk of corn produced finds its way in the form of
a industrially modified ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup. Whilst a seemingly tasteful
ingredient which I enjoy thoroughly in my candies, syrups and sweetened food items, Pollan’s
(2006) insights intrigued me about this food ingredient and encouraged me to undertake further
research. Obtaining increased research on the production of high fructose corn syrup not only left

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me disheartened at the sheer loss of the natural nutritional profile of a health staple as corn via
industrialization, but also left me shocked at the health consequences it has to offer due to its
high sugar and calorific content in comparison to its humble, starchy counterpart (Keim,
Stanhope & Havel, 2015). This section of the book paved the way as an eye opener for me at the
sheer industrial profits targeted by food manufacturers to reap maximum, cost effective benefits
from corn with an absolute disregard for the health and nutritional needs of a dynamic population
(Pollan, 2006). An additional portion of this section which shook the roots of my dietary
preferences is where Pollan (2006) highlights his experiences of a fast food meal consumption
with his family where he contemplates how the taste and nutritional content of the food items
bears no resemblance to the actual raw ingredient. Taking insights from Pollan (2006), reading
this section of his book, made me realize the environmental costs and financial implications
underlying the formulation of my favorite fast food meals, which are incurred by industries only
for the purpose of mimicking desirable organoleptic qualities with negligible nutritional value
and disregard for the natural goodness of the original food ingredients. Despite the deliciousness,
gaining awareness on the industrial motives behind my favorite fast food will nevertheless
compel me to think twice before truly associating such a meal with a hearty, wholesome
nutritional profile.
Pastoral – Grass
In the second section of this book, Pollan (2006) explores and provides and honest insight
beneath the growing popularity of organic farming. The agricultural practices of organic farming,
as noted by Seufert, Ramankutty and Mayerhofer (2017), involves undertaking crop plantations
and harvesting with an absence of industrial and chemical horrors such as pesticides and artificial
fertilizers. As noted by Pollan (2006) as well in the historical evaluation by Reganold and

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Wachter (2016), the principles and popularities of organic farming found its roots during the
1960s as an unconventional, natural and localized food option reflecting the then characteristic
‘hippie cultures’. This chapter also finds a mention of Joel Salatin, Pollan’s influencer and the
owner of a localized, family-run farming Intrigued and fueled by curiosity upon Salatin’s disgust
towards notable organic farming organizations, Pollan set forth to further explore the truthfulness
behind his guru’s opinions (Pollan, 2006). Extensive research enhanced his awareness as noted
in Pollan’s (2006) discussion of how consumption of organic food has been viewed a
mainstream, cult-favorite but its underlying agricultural procedures bears no resemblance
towards compliance of any form of environmental or ecological soundness such popular
practices claim to adhere to. To further enlighten his new found and strengthen his primary
argument of increased industrialization, insight Pollan (2006) shares his experiences of a visit to
commercial poultry farm, claiming to be organic and responsible for practicing free range animal
husbandry practices. ‘Free range’, as noted by Chen et al., (2016), implies the provision of liberal
grazing in free spaces by animals daily, as opposed to their confinement in enclosures and
congested spaces. However, Pollan’s visit, presented a stark contrast where in reality, the
chicken were mainly allowed to graze liberally in a minor portion of an unused section of land,
with a lack of pesticide usage as the only saving grace in comparison to the previously observed
industrial agricultural practices (Pollan, 2006). Upon reading the insights placed by Pollan
(2006) along with conducting my own research, I could further process Pollan’s arguments in
support of the presence of discrepancies underlying organic farming, where in comparison to
conventional practices, such agricultural procedures utilize increased amounts of fossil fuel
resources as well as financial constraints in order to combat the inefficiencies presented by
farming without fertilizers and pesticides (Pollan, 2006). However, the section of this book

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which particularly was of interest to me comprised of the counter arguments placed by Pollan
(2006). Pollan noted that despite the lack of ecological feasibilities observed due to
industrialization of present day organic farming practices, the concerned foods produced are still
nutritionally and organoleptically superior in comparison to their completely industrial
counterparts.
As a final rendezvous point to enhance his organic culinary expedition, Pollan returns to
visit Salatin’s locally organized, organic farming community which is characterized by free
grazing of cows across their compatible agricultural lands outlined grassy pastures, followed by
chickens following the same and revitalizing themselves via the leftover cattle manure. Pollan is
pleasantly surprised at the waste free, high nutrient profile of the farming produce as well as the
care with which slaughtering is conducted manually with no form of animal agitation or harsh
techniques whatsoever. While such a farming scenario restores Pollan’s faith in the original
objective of organic farming, he however counter argues the financial feasibility and cost
effectiveness of maintain such rustic, manual farming practices amidst a background of a rapidly
growing American population with growing dietary needs (Pollan, 2006).
What enlightened and intrigued me most concerning this section of the book is saddening
infiltration of industrialization creeping into the once pristine origins of organic farming.
Influenced by a number of friends, I was honestly deeply curious on the exploration of organic
food choices and hence, the stark reality gained upon reading Pollan (2006) compelled me to not
only raise questions against present day food manufacturing firms claiming to be ‘organic’ but
also made me question my own food procurement method. Taking insights from Salatin’s
efforts, reading this section has truly reinforced my belief concerning the positive association
between food quality and the conductance of local farming practices. While this section has

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inspired me to conjure ways in which I can safely grow my produce near my home, I am
however, as unsure as Pollan concerning the financial feasibility of the same and hence, will
surely conduct further research and exploration on the same.
Personal – The Forest
In this final section, the author attempts to restore his faith in the interconnectedness
which humans still have the potential to share with food, by returning to the very roots of food
procurement, that is hunting gathering (Pollan, 2006). Hence, Pollan (2016) shares his
experiences where he is determine to obtain, procure and forage every ingredient underlying his
meals in order to relive the long lost spirit of local food practices which populations have been
engaging in since generations. While the author engages actively in obtaining leavening agents
for his bread as well as fruits for his meals, the act of killing animals for the same, compels him
to question his moral beliefs, ethical outlooks and his very conscience (Pollan, 2006). With a
little guidance from his friend, Angelo Garro during slaughtering and killing of pigs for meal
preparation, Pollan (2006) however argues in favor of his engagement in hunting gathering by
stating despite his ethical inabilities to counteract this issue, such practices allow him to
intrinsically engage in every aspect of food, where we can take full responsibility for his actions
and meal outcomes without any form of external interference. The result is hence, an
amalgamation of locally procured, richly flavored, industrially untouched ingredients which
come together into a meal of wholesomeness, high nutritional profile and which strengthens not
just the bond between humans and food, but also amongst family members at the dinner table,
hence bringing readers back to where they can solve the complexities underlying the question of
food choices during dinner mentioned in the book’s introduction (Pollan, 2006).

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This chapter of the book is undoubtedly my favorite since it seemed to answer my
question concerning the methods which I may adopt to improve my connectivity with food and
to combat the effect of industrialization which finds itself at my table. Upon reading the local
food procurement practices conducted by Pollan (2006), I am truly amazed at how such a simple
act of engaging oneself with food can induce such vast nutritional, qualitative and organoleptic
changes in my diet. Hence, the section where Pollan (2006) gains insight of the accountability of
his actions prior to pig shooting with Garro, is what inspired me to adopt future practices of local
food production and hence improvement of my existing dietary practices. Thus, to enlighten
myself concerning the same, I aimed to conduct further research on the importance of local food
produce, which resulted in the following insights:
As noted by Pollan (2006) as well as Feldman and Hamm (2015), local procurement of
food is environmentally beneficial due to the lack of fuels utilized for transportation. Further,
taking insights from Hempel and Hamm (2016), locally foraged food is qualitatively superior
due to its freshness, seasonally availability and lack of usage of pesticides or preservatives to
prolong or alter its natural rates of survival and storage. Locally food procurement as noted by
Syrovátková, Hrabák and Spilková (2015), is not only financially cost effective but also
promotes local agricultural communities without the absence of middlemen or profit driven
interfering forces as private corporations or commercial industries. Most importantly, local food
procurement is a boon for enhancing interpersonal interconnectedness and prevent fraudulent
practices, as researched by Dwivedi et al., (2017), since it holds oneself and local individuals like
farmers or butchers responsible who are less likely to engage in harmful, unethical practices due
to their direct engagement in communicative relationships.

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Recommendation and Conclusion
Hence to conclude, Michael Pollan’s book, ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’ is an insightful ,
resourceful and highly informative book, which has not only enhanced my existing knowledge of
food procurement strategies but also exposes the honest truth behind what truly constitutes my
meals in the face of rapid industrialization. This book has hence, motivated me to not only alter
my current food choices but has also inspired me to further explore what truly occurs behind the
production of my favorite food ingredients. Most importantly, I would recommend this book to
my friends or anyone remotely interested in food, be it an agriculturalist, a food connoisseur, a
chef or merely an enthusiastic food explorer like me. I strongly encourage others to read this
book, since it is an eye opener to present day food production and its ability to question the very
quality of what goes inside our stomachs. Additionally, this book provides ways in which one
can practice safe, nutritious and ethical food production practices - another key reason why I
strongly recommend its reading by others.