To Eat, or not to Eat, ---That’s a Question!

The title seems a little ridiculous at first sight. However, if you look around, you are sure to find that there is not much choice you can make. We eat to live, but what to eat? Do you dare to eat whatever is sold on the market?

Someone in my office once said jokingly, “Everything from the milk that babies drink to the breasts that… is all false or even poisonous.” The case of tainted milk from the Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group, which killed at least 6 infants and sickened 300,000 more, is just one corner of the iceberg.

According to a recent investigation by anhuinews.com, the popular Chinese dish of hotpot is a dangerous chemical mixture. A former hotpot chef revealed, "More than 80 percent of hotpots contain chemical additives that not only lower the cost but also make the food smell more appetizing.” One shop owner claimed just a drop of a chemical called "pot fragrance" would make a hotpot smell delicious. But health experts warn that additives of this kind can harm internal organs and cause cancer.

Have you ever noticed that many nice-looking foods such sea products and water bamboo are actually bleached. Do you ever think of the feed that pigs or chickens eat before they are butchered and then put on your dinner table? Unfortunately, the answer is anything that can make them grow faster. Whether it is harmful or not to one’s health is something that never enters their mind. Have you ever wondered why there are so many new diseases? Why is the number of cancer patients increasing at such an astonishing speed?

We can blame the greedy and probably illegal businessmen for their profit-seeking first nature. But where is the control and supervision of the government? Are there any laws concerning food production and safety? We understand that China is a huge country and there are millions of farmers and numerous food companies. It is not easy to make effective inspection at all stages of the food production process. However, it’s a matter of life and death and we just cannot afford it.

It’s true that we are now much better off than before. And our country is no longer what she used to be and her international status and influence are also increasing rapidly. But is it the price that we have to pay for the fast economic development? Just think: How many rivers have been polluted? It seems to be an extravagant hope to have blue clear skies! Obviously, our development depends largely on consuming natural resources, which is not at all sustainable.  Should we leave some for our future generations?

What is the use of fast economic development if we cannot enjoy the benefit of it? If we can’t ensure what we eat is safe, how can we possibly enjoy a better life? As a common person, what we can do seems very limited. However, if we join hands and fight together, we may make a great difference to this issue. At least we can make our voice heard to the leaders. Don't you think so?