Food, Inc.

A CRITICAL CONVERSATION

CFI co-founders Barbara Kowalcyk and Patricia Buck shared Kevin’s story in the 2009 Academy Award-nominated documentary “Food, Inc.”

In the interview, Kowalcyk recounts heartbreaking moments from the 12 days after her 2 1/2-year-old son contracted E. coli O157:H7. Kevin consequently developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication that completely shut down his intestines. The suspected cause was tainted ground beef in a hamburger he’d eaten. 

The film crew follows the women to Capitol Hill as they meet with senators, seeking a co-sponsor for Kevin's Law. 

To this day the bill has still not been passed, although elements of it are contained in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which President Barack Obama signed into law in 2011.

CFI was not involved in the production of the documentary, and Kowalcyk admits there are some things in the film, such as feeding cows grass to reduce pathogens, that she does not feel have enough scientific evidence or backing. Although she agrees, “Food, Inc. is an important film that raises awareness about the complex nature of our food supply. And has begun a critical conversation about the challenges we must overcome to make food safe, secure, and sustainable for American families.” 

There is no simple solution to the food issues we face in the 21st century, nor can one sector of the food supply chain solve these problems on its own. Thus, this conversation must continue, and it has to include all food safety stakeholders! 

- Barbara Kowalcyk, PhD