Question

In Food Inc., the filmmakers state that supermarkets are an 'illusion of diversity' because the ~40,000 products they carry (on average) are made by a handful of major companies from a few ingredients (namely corn, and soy).

A) The illusion is created by the use of artificial colors in food products.
B) The illusion is created by the variety of packaging in supermarkets.
C) The illusion is created by the diverse cultural origins of food products.
D) The illusion is created by the limited number of major companies and ingredients.

Answer 1

The 'illusion of diversity' mentioned in Food Inc. is created by a few major companies controlling a significant portion of the supermarket products, which mostly consist of items made from corn and soy, regardless of the brands or packaging that imply variety.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the documentary Food Inc., the filmmakers mention that supermarkets give the impression of offering a wide range of products, but this is actually an 'illusion of diversity'. This illusion is not due to the use of artificial colors or diverse cultural origins of products, nor solely because of the variety of packaging.

This creates a uniformity and predictability similar to 'McDonaldization', where efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control are emphasized. This phenomenon has led to improved profits and greater availability of goods, though often at the expense of diversity and individuality in products.