Final answer:
The spread of industrialized/processed foods from North America is facilitated by globalization, extensive transportation networks, and the influence of transnational corporations. Advances in agriculture and genetic engineering, along with the crucial role of additives for food preservation, support this trend.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spread of North American industrialized/processed foods around the globe has been greatly aided by the phenomenon of globalization. This process entails the dramatic increase in global production and consumption, particularly noticeable since the 1970s.
Factors contributing to this include advancements in transportation technologies, including refrigerated railcars and steamships, and the globalization of production facilitated by transnational corporations. These corporations have a significant impact on local and global food supplies by controlling production, processing, and distribution chains.
They are influential enough to introduce various forms of genetic engineering in agriculture, leading to monopolies over certain food items. The incorporation of food additives, steroids, and antibiotics has been promoted to preserve food for its long journey from production to consumption.
Having a variety of food items like potatoes, maize, and sweet potatoes introduced from the Americas to continents like Europe and Asia significantly influenced dietary habits. This diversity of crops eventually contributed to the participation of these cultures in technological revolutions, enhancing their economic and gastronomic landscapes.