Felicity Lawrence “Not On The Label” Review
The last book I’ve read was Felicity Lawrence’s book “Not on the label”. I’ve haven’t heard of her before but the title was kind of getting my attention so I chose to read it. It gives insight on what effect supermarkets have in today’s society. Now I shop a little bit different. If I can buy something from the local bakery I’ll go for that. Tesco’s bread always (so it seems) has some preservatives and quite a few of strange ingredients. Plus in supermarkets you kind of feel a bit anonymous. It touches on a many interesting subjects. For instance about illegal immigrants doing the hard work in the food industry and how they are being exploited.
The book explains CBP, something I haven’t heard about. It’s short for “Chorleywood Bread Process”. According to Wikipedia it was developed in 1961 by the Flour Milling and Baking Research Association at Chorleywood (a town in Hertfordshire) and the majority of bread is made in that way. The problem with this process is that the fermentation process is reduced to a very short time, which means the bread won’t taste as good and therefore more salt is used according to Felicity Lawrence’s book.
Another modern invention is “Modified Atmosphere Packaging” (MAP), which reduces the oxygen inside the package of vegetables in order to extend the shelf life. Felicity Lawrence says however that products might look fresh but actually lose vitamins as fast as without MAP. So it basically fakes freshness.
Supermarkets also sell a lot of products (everyday products like milk) below profit. In many countries this is forbidden or restricted by law, not so here in the UK. The problem with this is that it makes it difficult for smaller shops to sell these things. Supermarkets can basically drive smaller shops into bankruptcy that way and then raise the price again.
Felicity Lawrence writes for the Guardian and seems to know a lot about the food industry. She also seems to be a nice person, I’ve emailed her and she even answered. She said that she will soon release a new book.
Anyway her conclusion is basically that supermarkets have too much power and they abuse it. It’s a must read book because how you shop will affect everybody (including yourself).
Jeremy Paxman has chosen this book as the most memorable read of 2004:
“If you want to know why the food you buy in the supermarket tastes of cotton wool, or you want to find out how British agriculture has been ruined, read Felicity Lawrence’s Not on the Label. It’s a brave and depressing examination of the calamities caused by a policy laughingly called one of ‘cheap food’.”
Buy from Amazon.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorleywood_Bread_Process
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_Atmosphere_Packaging
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/felicity_lawrence/index.html
April 1st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Hi,
I haven’t heard of Felicity Lawrence till I also read this book. And It made me search the web to view more.
I am lucky enough to use markets, farms and many small shops for my food. In my town there are many different cultures, which offer a good variety of world foods. And farms with good local produce.
The supermarkets have become the same as the mafia, they have the power to control every thing they need, to have there way.
Near where I live, there is a small village Where there is a Co-Op and a Summerfield. Tesco want to build a Tesco Express and so do Sainsbury’s. There is a great fruit and Veg shop Which would properly disappear. There are many Tesco’s Express and supermarkets near by. Don’t need anymore. There is no control.
See link > http://www.bourneendbucks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=87
Read this book. And make up your own mind where you shop.