Chew On This

Kid Reporter interviews author Charles Wilson

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Charles Wilson (R) signs a copy of Chew On This for Scholastic Kid Reporter Kajal Jani. (Photo: Genet Berhane)

April 9, 2007

Are you a kid who loves fast food? You're not alone. But how much do you really know about the fast-food industry?

I recently got a chance to talk with journalist Charles Wilson about Chew On This, a book he co-authored with Eric Schlosser. The idea for Chew On This came from Schlosser's best-selling Fast Food Nation, which revealed some surprising facts about the fast-food industry.

“I used to love fast food as a kid,” notes Wilson, pointing out that there are some pluses to it. “But the more I learned . . . the more upset I became at the industry.”

Wilson explained why restaurants like young kids so much. When kids make a fuss to eat out, an adult naturally joins them. Usually, the adult also ends up ordering something.

“That’s what the fast-food industry realized—by kids nagging their parents, they could bring in a whole bunch of people,” said Wilson.

The book also reveals many secrets about the fast-food industry, including some facts that you might not want to know (like what makes some drinks pink). The public is not aware of many of these things, because the fast-food industry works hard to keep some information from the public.

“I began to realize that every time I bought fast food, I was part of a large chain of consequences,” said Wilson.

Chew On This describes how animals are raised and slaughtered for the fast-food industry. It is sad to learn about the treatment of the animals—but it's not just the animals that are treated badly. Many of the people who work in the slaughterhouses have to deal with poor working conditions.

A large number of immigrants work in these places, as well as people who desperately need jobs. Many of these workers make a little more than minimum wage. Getting hurt on the job is very common when you are working with sharp knives and blades, but many places don't provide proper insurance for employees.

As Wilson learned more and more about the fast-food industry, he decided to make a change in his own life. Wilson currently does not eat at any fast-food restaurants.

“I don’t go to the big fast-food chains because I know too much now and I feel like every time you buy food it’s like you're voting," said Wilson. "I feel like if you’re buying food from a fast-food chain, you are voting in favor of how they raise animals or how they treat their workers.”

Critical Thinking Question Read today's news story, and then answer the following question. Do you think it is important to know how the food you eat is made? Why or why not? Join a discussion of this question on our bulletin board.

Kajal Jani is a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

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