Food poisoning due to poor storage is a major challenge today. Many people believe that refrigeration is the solution to food wastage. The truth is that despite the low temperatures that prevent the growth of microorganisms in food substances, most of them still have expiry dates regardless of storage methods. Many people still find spoiled food in their refrigerators and count significance losses emanating from such every day.
The idea is to come up with a device with an in-built memory of the expiry dates of all foodstuffs in the refrigerator. Two days to the expiry date of any foodstuff in the fridge, the device would raise an alarm and alert anyone who opens the fridge. The device would have to be hanged in a visible position. Codes and tentative dates of expiry for goods that do not have electric codes can be entered manually and set in the machine. This product is at the concept stage and would have to be tested out first before mass production.
Targeted Customers
This endeavor targets busy housewives who have to balance between arrays of duties every day. When this is done, food wastage and possibility of food poisoning would be eliminated. The ultimate result is that the technology would save households money that would be used in buying new products or treating cases of food poisoning. There is need for such services and therefore the opportunities for growth are immense.
The customer bracket can be widened to also include organizations that offer foodstuff and food-related services. At the beginning, this product can be tried out with a few households but can later be rolled out nationally and eventually regionally. For such growth to take place, it would be pertinent that the technology involved is patented to protect the original owners from exploitation.
Financial Analysis
The cost of producing one of these devices would be about $5 mainly to acquire the electrical device, wiring and the housing plus the magnetic strap at the back to aid in holding the device firmly onto the fridge. These are relatively small devices that can be produced even cheaper because of the economies of scale involved in producing in bulk. The Rate of Return on such an investment would have to be measured against the cost of the risks involved.
This is dependent on the value of the product involved and the likely cost of treating food poisoning. Considering that such risks would not cost any less, the cost of buying this device would be far much less than the cost incurred to correct the losses and health risks emanating from stale food. The retail price of this device can therefore range from $20 to $30.
This means profit six fold and therefore the rate of return for the manufacturer would be impressive since one can earn profits from four-fold to even six-fold. However, the profit margin would reduce slightly at the beginning as the groups tries to secure copy rights and setup a work station where the devices would be produced and the operational costs associated with the same.
The rapidly growing rates of mortality and morbidity associated with cancer make many people reconsider their lifestyles. While some people believe that changing eating habits may significantly improve their health outcomes, others are sure that food is not so important. People who want to avoid getting pesticides into their bodies try to choose only organic foods. Regular nutrition with organic products, manufactured or grown without synthetic pesticides, growth regulators, and artificial food additives, seems to be an essential step in the life-long cancer avoidance strategy. Eco-friendly (organic) products are considered to be much more useful than those grown traditionally, since synthetic pesticides, mineral fertilizers, regulators, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not used in the cultivation of these products.
Despite the dire need to combat cancer, there is currently a lack of information regarding organic foods and cancer prevention. Therefore, it seems necessary to study the relationships between healthy eating habits based on organic foods and their impact on cancer mortality. Considering that nutrition causes plenty of diseases, proper eating is likely to be important in disease prevention. The thesis statement may be formulated as follows: continuous eating of organic foods decreases the likelihood of cancer occurrence. The research question is: does eating organic foods may contribute to the prevention of cancer?
Plan to Prove the Point
A substantial amount of research examines the role of nutrition in cancer prevention. It is essential to review the existing literature and integrate it into the proposed study to answer the research question, which was provided earlier in this paper. Therefore, the qualitative method of research design and the literature review will be used. In particular, the researcher will collect the necessary data from peer-reviewed journals, books, and official health care websites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), etc. It is expected that evidence collected from the mentioned sources will convince the target audience composed of both health care providers and average readers. The proposed research will be of interest to professionals who may benefit by receiving important data in theory and practice and for patients who will be more aware of their nutrition role in health maintenance.
The researchers position will be supported by the collected data and its interpretation, leading to relevant conclusions. The arguments will be provided in detail to either support or reject the thesis statement. In the process of the study, all the tendencies, gaps, and insights will be properly revealed and presented to the readers, thus contributing to an in-depth analysis of the topic. Such variables as organic food types and cancer rates will be used to reveal their correlation. The researchers personal experience will not apply to the proposed study as it will be focused on the literature review method. It should also be stressed that the potential impact of the proposed research will contribute to the field of nutrition in disease prevention. Also, other researchers may use the results to identify any gaps and conduct further studies. Health care, in general, needs a proper understanding of how nutrition influences cancer appearance and prevention. Therefore, the proposed studys importance cannot be overestimated in terms of the global struggle against cancer.
The choice to eat healthy foods is very important for a person because it implies that an individual already understands that his/her diet is not appropriate. This choice can be based on subjective experiences, observations, or even the analysis of empirical data. Furthermore, this understanding creates an intention to take a certain action and change ones lifestyle, in particular eating habits (Hieger, 2009, p. 42). The person, who has made this decision, is more likely to reduce the consumption of foods or drinks that produce harmful effects on health because this individual can better control behavior (Hieger, 2009, p. 42). So, this attitude is vital for every form of behavior change, including the change in eating habits. This is one of the first steps to adopting a healthy lifestyle. This is one of the main issues that can be identified.
Short and long-term goals
There are several objectives that a person can set while changing his/her eating habits. At first, one should focus on short-term goals such as the reduction in the consumption of food that contains large quantities of sugar, fat, or salt. For instance, a person can stop buying fast foods, snacks, carbonated drinks, gum, or candy bars. Moreover, this person can increase his/her daily intake of vitamins and nutrients by eating more vegetables and fruits. In turn, one should speak about long-term goals such as following a balanced diet which includes only those meals that contain necessary amounts of vitamins, proteins, or minerals. These objectives are important because they can help a person evaluate his/her progress. Moreover, they motivate an individual to improve his/her lifestyle and diet. Therefore, while changing ones eating habits, a person should identify the goals that he/she wants to attain.
The need to eliminate unhealthy foods
There are several reasons why a person should eliminate unhealthy foods from his/her diet. First of all, many of them lead to overweight and even obesity. In the long term, it can result in various disorders like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. This is one of the first issues that should be considered. Additionally, researchers have found out that many unhealthy foods have an addictive effect on a person. This argument is particularly important if one speaks about the foods that are rich in fat or sugar (Smith, 2011, p. 3). In other words, a person becomes so accustomed to these foods that other meals are no longer acceptable for him/her. This is another risk that should not be overlooked. Finally, it is vital to remember that the effects of eating unhealthy foods can manifest themselves only in the long term. This is why one should pay more attention to his/her diet.
My attempts to improve my diet
In the past, I did try to improve my diet. In particular, I attempted to reduce my consumption of various snack foods, sweet desserts, or candies. I understood that this eating habit could easily give rise to overweight. This is why I tried to eliminate this food from my diet, especially in the mornings. As a rule, I bought these products because I did not have enough time to have healthy meals. To a great extent, my attempts were quite successful, because currently I practically do not eat these foods. Nevertheless, I have to admit that my diet is not well-balanced, and it can contain some foods that are rich in sugar or fat but have little nutritional value. This is one of the main issues that should be addressed.
The steps that a person can take in order to eat healthier
There are several steps that people can take in order to increase their intake of healthy foods. First of all, they should pay more attention to time management. In many cases, they consume a snack or fast food because they are pressed for time. Therefore, if they spend fifteen more minutes on their meals, they will have more opportunities for eating healthy food that includes necessary vitamins and nutrients. Furthermore, an individual should learn more about the nutritional value of different food products. This step is also critical because a person should be able to make informed decisions when selecting different meals or foods. Apart from that, one should also identify short and long-term objectives that can be achieved. Such an approach can help a person make a change in his/her eating habits.
The barriers to eating healthier
There are several obstacles that can prevent a person from eating healthy foods. In particular, one can mention the shortage of time. This is the main reason why many individuals prefer to purchase fast-food products or snacks; as a rule, they understand that this is not the best choice, but they cannot change their behavior. Furthermore, healthier foods can be more expensive, and some people may not afford them. This argument is relevant to a person with a low income-level. Additionally, it is important to mention that there are people, who may not have sufficient access to information, and they may find it difficult to develop a balanced diet. This problem is normally encountered by low-income people. These people are less likely to eat unhealthy food. These are the main barriers that should be considered. Some of these obstacles can be overcome, for instance, one can speak about the shortage of time.
Setbacks and successes
As it has been said before, I have made some attempts to change my eating diet and eat only healthy food. To some extent, I did achieve some successes. In particular, I have been able to reduce the consumption of those products that are rich in fat or sugar. I was able to achieve this goal with the help of proper time management techniques. Nevertheless, there are some important setbacks that should be taken into account. In particular, at the time of nervous tension, I may resume eating unhealthy foods. Furthermore, I could not work out a diet that corresponds to my age and weight. Yet, it seems to me that these problems can be managed.
Examples of good support systems
As a rule, support systems play an important role in behavior change. One can provide several examples of good support systems. For instance, it is possible to speak about friends or relatives who encourage a person to eat fruits and vegetables. These people usually provide emotional and mental support to a person who wants to make a behavior change. Moreover, the role of support systems can be played by medical workers who help an individual make informed food choices. These people can assist a person in choosing the most appropriate meals. To a great extent, the presence of support systems can facilitate behavior change. They are critical for adopting a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits. This is one of the main arguments that can be put forward.
Reference List
Hieger, H. (2009). Behavior Change: A View from the Inside Out. New York: Wordclay.
Smith, A. (2011). Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat. New York: ABC-CLIO.
All hospitals are concerned with the quality of the services they offer to their clients due to the implications on patient satisfaction. The topic of concern in this paper is food waste and how it affects one or more elements of patient satisfaction, including the overall food experience within the hospitals. Food waste is a major problem for all countries in the world. Regarding the targeted population, food waste is an important issue since it can be an indicator of food and foodservice quality, which then translates into the overall patient experience. Hospitals seemingly lack proper policies to regulate food preparation and service. Additionally, most of the policy issues seem to revolve around nutrition without paying much attention to the expectations and perceptions of patients on hospital food. The argument presented in this paper is that hospitals need to develop better food management policies to help improve the patient experience.
Summary of Literature
There is an emerging body of literature on food waste in hospitals and its effects on patient and health outcomes. Some of the scholars have undertaken to illustrate why food waste in hospitals is a major problem. For example, a case study of three hospitals in Southern Italy showed that the total amount of food wasted was about 41.6% (Schiavone et al., 2019, p. 1). Additionally, the study also showed which types of food were more likely to be wasted where side plates comprising vegetables and potatoes recorded 55% wastage (Schiavone et al., 2019, p. 1). Even though this case study is conducted in Europe, many hospitals across the world exhibit similar trends with most of the food served remaining uneaten and disposed. Therefore, the implications on these trends are twofold: first, the quality of food is undesirable to patients and, second, the quantity served is excessive. Either way, the immediate impacts include operational costs of the food produced and served, in addition to the overall impacts on the environment.
Other studies focus on examining the relationship between food waste and patient outcomes in hospitals. According to Schiavone et al. (2020), patient satisfaction indicates the quality of healthcare, and expectation is a critical determinant of patient satisfaction. Additionally, the food wasted by hospitalized patients can be used as an indicator of healthcare quality. This interrelationship between food waste, patient expectation, and perceived quality of healthcare means that hospitals face a significant challenge. The study by Schiavone et al. (2020) was undertaken in gynecology and obstetrics wards. However, the findings can be generalized across all care settings where patients are hospitalized and where part of the services involve food. Even in other settings where food is served, consumers expectations and the quality of the food and food service determine the decision to finish the food. The same applies to hospitals where patients will only finish the food they like and discard most of what they do not like.
With the extent of the problem identified and its relationship to patient outcomes determined, other studies have explored how policies, measures, and strategies are used to address the problem. For instance, a study by Strotmann et al. (2017, p. 1) examines food provided and wasted in three hospitals before and after they implemented measures to control food waste. The reduction was significant where the residential homes recorded 21.4% before and 13.4% after. Similarly, cafeterias recorded a reduction from 19.8% to 12.8% (Strotmann et al., 2017, p. 1). An almost similar study by McCray et al. (2018) examined how improved services affected nutritional intake, increased patient satisfaction, and reduced food waste and the costs associated with it. The findings indicated that costs declined by 15% while food waste reduced from 29% to 12% (McCray et al., 2018, p. 284). With these studies, it is evident that even hospitals have recognized the extent of the problem and are keen to implement the necessary measures.
Development and Presentation of Argument
Food waste in hospitals is a major problem that affects the patient population and the environment. The complexity of the issue is manifested by the fact that food waste is an indicator of patient satisfaction, which is achieved through the quality of the food and foodservice. The statistics presented above indicate that food waste in hospitals is a serious problem and that measures to address it are valid and practical. The argument presented here is that hospitals can do a better job in minimizing food waste, which helps serve the target population better. As mentioned earlier, the amount of food wasted hints at two possibilities, one of which is poor quality food that patients dislike. In this case, improving nutritional value will help improve patients nutritional intake. Additionally, the health outcomes of patients will be better as a result of improved care.
Another possibility hinted in the literature review is excessive amounts of food served, in this case, the argument made is that food waste translated into higher operational costs. Reducing wastage allows the funds to be allocated to other operations that help improve patient care. For example, money saved can be invested in improving the conditions of the facilities. Lastly, minimizing food should help address food insecurity in the United States, in addition to helping in the efforts to protect the environment. The argument is supported by the presumption that food saved can be consumed elsewhere or donated to communities that need the support. Similarly, food saved can reduce production scales, which helps save the environment. The bottom line is that addressing food waste in hospitals is a significant step towards improving both food security and environmental initiatives.
Refutations of Counterclaims
A counter argument can be made that hospitals present only a small proportion of the broader problem of food waste in the country. However, there are hundreds of hospitals and related facilities, including care homes and hospital cafeterias, that are all involved in serving food to patients and hospital staff. The total tonnage of the food wasted by hospitals alone could easily reach millions of tons. These figures are significant to indicate that the country will benefit greatly from efforts by hospitals to reduce food wastage.
Nursing Role in Promotion of the Affected Population
The role of nursing in food waste reduction in hospitals is critical to the success of any efforts and strategies implemented by the facilities. First, nurses are responsible for most of the services offered to patients. These include serving the food and preparation of the relevant diets for different patients. Therefore, nurses can develop a framework that helps caterers to prepare the right amount of food and nutrition tailored for specific patients. In this case, nurses are fully aware of how much food a patient needs to consume, which means that they can prescribe specific amounts. In other words, the hospital menus for patients can be designed with the help of nurses. Such an effort makes sure that only specified amounts of food are procured, prepared, and served.
An important point to clarify is that food wasted in hospitals also includes that served to hospital staff. Nurses can help reduce this waste by implementing a food policy that requires zero waste. For example, nurses can be required to order amounts they are sure to finish. Other measures may include taxing any wastage or donating any excess food to the deserving populations. Regardless of the measures taken, nursing plays a critical role in ensuring that policies and codes of conduct related to food are observed by all personnel. An important role in the creation of awareness to both the hospital staff and patients so that all stakeholders acknowledge the problem and play their respective roles in implementing the necessary measures.
Conclusion
All industries and sectors are responsible for the environment and all issues related to it. Therefore, the issue of food waste is important to the nursing profession since nurses are part of it and are in a position to pursue a positive change in food waste trends. Assuming that food waste can be reduced to zero, then nurses will have successfully contributed to the countrys food security and environmental preservation. Most importantly, the framework and strategies used can be copied by other sectors where food waste is a major problem, including schools and restaurants, and any other establishment that handles food.
References
McCray, S., Mauder, K., Krikowa, R., & MacKenzie, K. (2018). Room service improves nutritional intake and increases patient satisfaction while decreasing food waste and cost. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118(2), 284-293. Web.
Schiavone, S., Pelullo, C., & Attena, F. (2019). Evaluation of food waste in three hospitals in Southern Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(22), 1-10. Web.
Schiavone, S., Pistone, M., Finale, E., Guala, A., & Attena, F. (2020). Patient satisfaction and food waste in obstetrics and gynecology wards. Patient Preference and Adherence, 14, 1381-1388. Web.
Strotmann, C., Friedrich, S., Kreyenschmidt, J., Teitscheid, P., & Ritter, G. (2017). Comparing food provided and wasted before and after implementing measures against food waste in three healthcare food service facilities. Sustainability, 9(8), 1-18. Web.
The US Department of Agricultures Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is an organization that assists millions of Americans with low income to have food right on their table. Undesirable happenings such as food insecurity, food deserts, and limited resources experienced in the SNAP affect many individuals health (Shannon, 2018). Insufficient access to nutritious and healthy food due to high-cost results in a short and long-term effect on both physical and mental health.
Short and Long Term Effects on Physical Health
Food insecurity affects adults physical health by causing short-term effects such as micronutrient deficiency, lower physical activity, and eventually obesity. Children also face problems in their development which can lead to them being at high risk of getting obese. Areas affected by food deserts cannot access healthy foodstuff due to a lack of sufficient capital, thus making the population in these areas suffer from malnutrition which results in loss of weight (Shannon, 2018). These challenges can also result in long-term physical health where one develops diseases like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension (Shannon, 2018). These illnesses can cause both the sick person and their families a great deal of suffering.
Short and Long Term Effects on Mental Health
Individual mental health is also affected by food challenges causing psychological distress. Short-term effects include stress, mood, and behavior disorders, resulting in long-term impacts such as depression. Thus, this condition can cause one to make a wrong decision, like indulging in substance abuse activities and even having suicidal thoughts (Davydov, 2017). These physical and mental challenges affect development and the lifespan by increasing early mortality rates leading to population decrease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is seen that food challenges affect both the outward look and the psychological aspect of a person. Therefore, it is better to develop effective plans or policies to address both mental and physical well-being, and dietary needs to improve a low-income populations health. The only way this can be achieved is through creating food security programs that will be able to avert the scarcity of this extremely essential human requirement.
References
Davydov, I. (2017). Not even the presidents friends can always influence decision-making. The Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press, 69(017), 10-11. Web.
Shannon, J. (2018). From food deserts to supermarket redlining: Making sense of food access in Atlanta. Atlanta Studies. Web.
Junk food refers to foods that have a high content of in sugar, salt and fat. Such foods usually contain little nutrients and some lack any nutritional value. Junk food is also called fast food and many people prefer them especially in the contemporary society.
Joints dealing with fast foods such as MacDonald have recorded huge success as many people become addicted to junk food because it tastes good. However, in spite of the popularity of junk foods, they pose health risks such as diseases, depression. They also cause obesity and strain some people financially, thus a sweet bite may actually mean that people are digging their own graves using the teeth.
People who take junk food risk getting heart diseases. Junk food has high content of fat and cholesterol that leads to clogging of the heart arteries. Once the arteries are blocked a person can suffer from heart attacks that could lead to death or cause strokes.
Therefore, overindulgence fast foods such as chips may pose death risks and lifestyle diseases that are costly to treat. For example, I have an uncle who suffers from gout because of consuming roasted meat that is linked to the disease. Today he has to deal with pain in his joints and other health problems such as high blood pressure. Thus junk foods should be avoided to reduce the health risks involved.
The other problem caused by junk foods is obesity. Obesity is excessive weight gain that is normally caused by the high content of calories. The media reports that many people including children are suffering from obesity due to poor diets. Obesity leads to diseases.
I have seen obese children and adults in my neighbourhood and the children are not able to play well with the other children because they are a bit slow. Sadly, I have heard some children make fun of them and that must hurt them and affect their esteem. For example, the American First Lady Mrs. Obama campaigning against child obesity has been on the news. Therefore, junk food should be discouraged.
The brain health becomes degraded because of consuming of junk foods. The content of many junk foods is unhealthy and it may expose the brain to premature aging and shrinking. The harmful additives lead to mood swings, depression and sleep in some people. Growing children are harmed by junk foods because their IQ levels become low and they lack concentration.
Moreover, junk foods affect proper cognitive together with thinking skills. For instance, my 10 year old cousin is addicted to junk foods and his performance in class is poor. Moreover, he is very aggressive and cannot keep up with outdoor games the other cousins play because he loses his energy fast.
In addition, junk food is costly and can put a strain on individuals budget. Eating out regularly is costly. Cooking at home can benefit them especially if they make healthy foods. Besides, individuals that eat out miss out on the opportunity to share and interact with family members during meals time.
I have a friend who never eats with the family because he prefers to eat out and when in the house orders fast food which he eats in his bedroom. Therefore, junk food not only strains the budget, but robs one of valuable time with family.
In conclusion, junk food appeals to many people because of the convenience it brings as people can buy it and consume it anywhere. However, the risks caused by overeating junk foods cannot be ignored and one has to make a decision to eat healthy and if one must take junk food do so in moderation.
I think parents should teach their children how to eat healthy foods and when they grow up they will stick with the good eating habits. Moreover, more awareness is necessarily to sensitize people about the dangers of junk foods to that they can avoid digging their graves with their teeth.
Waste disposal in the City of New York has been riddled with problems. As Grogan observes, many of the problems that are associated with the process of waste disposal are due to the corruption in the state government (75). The ever-increasing population of the city does not make the situation any easier. Considered one of the most densely populated cities in the USA, the New York state government has had to come up with several strategies on how to best deal with proper food and water disposal.
This essay analyzes some of the ways the government has employed in dealing with the sanitation issues. The paper will also give a small discussion on what happens in the process of disposal, those who are responsible for the disposal, and how policies affect the parties involved in waste disposal. The paper will prove that the state government of New Yorks strategy of using policies to help in the collection and disposal of wastes is the best approach.
The Evolution of Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC
Food and water waste disposal in the New York City has faced numerous challenges. The main cause of this is the many people living in the city. The city is not only recognized as one of the best cities in America, but it is also considered a world city. This means that people from all over the world try to settle in New York. In fact, the phrase If you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere was borrowed from this ideology.
New York had a population of approximately 8.4 million in 2013. It is the most densely populated cities in the United States of America. This over population has strained much of the citys delivery system. One area that has been gravely affected is drainage. The drainage system that was created decades ago is not sufficient anymore. The disposal of waste can be divided into two main areas; water disposal and garbage disposal.
Grogan explains that garbage disposal in the New York City was designed in 1927 (75). During this period, the population of the city was approximately 5.6 million; thus, the garbage disposal system was built to serve this number. It is argued that John Hammes built the first garbage disposal unit (Grogan, 45). However, records show that other waste disposal systems had been established as early as 1935 by General Electric.
During this time, garbage disposal was very different from food disposal. In fact, as Keil et al. explain, there were campaigns to educate people on how to separate water disposal from food disposal (13). The separation of wastes was done by individuals, instead of companies. In addition, the government incorporated regulations that required the placing of food waste in the water drainage system.
Over the years, the public was encouraged to put their food garbage in bags and leave them outside for disposal companies to pick and dispose them correctly. Currently, garbage disposal units are installed in houses due to the high number of flats in the city. The disposers can currently separate food and water and take them to their different sewer systems. Initially, the use of disposers was prohibited. The ban was lifted later on in 1997. Currently, a majority of houses in the city has the disposers. Grogan (12) reveals that many other states have tried to ban the use of this disposal to no avail. Indeed, there are people who do not install them in their houses. Consequently, they are forced to manually separate the waste and put it outside for a disposal company to pick and dispose appropriately.
It suffices to mention that garbage disposal companies have increased over the years. Currently, there are those that offer services to homes and those that focus specifically on offices. Grogan explains that there are waste disposal systems that also focus on industrial wastes (13).
In industries, there are things that are considered garbage and then there is water. The waste also has to be separated. Grogan argues that the separation cannot be done manually in the industries, unless the wastes separate themselves and can be sieved (10). For example, it would be very difficult for anyone to manually separate chemical wastes. In such cases, there are drainage systems that take the chemicals to the right place for proper disposal. There have been numerous cases of companies that do not dispose their wastes properly, thereby polluting the environment. The following section will focus on industrial waste management in the New York City.
Industrial Waste Management in the New York City
There are several industries that have headquarters in New York. They cut across different departments, including clothing, food, healthcare, and finance. All these industries need proper waste disposal systems for them to function properly and avoid polluting the environment.
Looking at the healthcare industry, the firms in this sector have the most dangerous waste among the industries found in New York. Syringes, used cotton pieces, and blood soaked water are very common in healthcare facilities. Such wastes cannot be disposed in a similar fashion as the waste from houses. Resultantly, there are several companies that have focused entirely on taking care of industrial waste disposal. In addition to healthcare facilities, there are pharmaceutical companies that use chemicals to make medicine and pesticides. These chemicals are sent down drainages to specific companies that can recycle them, sell them back to the companies, or dispose them completely without putting anyone in danger.
The food industry comprises of hotels, small restaurants, and food manufacturing companies. They also produce a lot of waste; both water and garbage. The disposal of these wastes is easier compared to the disposal of wastes in the healthcare facilities. The food disposals can be turned into manure and animal feed. However, the waste cannot be mixed with water; therefore, it is normally separated from water manually and put outside for the companies to collect. It suffices to mention that waste disposal companies are urged to separate plastic waste from waste that can rot. For example, plastics are not put in the same disposal bags as cabbages and carrot cuttings. Water is sent down the drain to mix with other water disposed from all over the city.
To many, the finance companies might appear to be the least expected companies in the list of industries that contribute to pollution in New York. However, the companies in this industry also need a proper waste disposal system. Offices use the highest number of papers. These papers have to be disposed at a point in time, regardless of what they carry. Moreover, they also use ink bottles from printers and pens. All these have to be disposed well. The wastes have to be burned or recycled because it cannot be thrown out. Qualified waste disposal companies do this job.
Last in the list of the most prominent industries in New York City are the clothing companies and all other factories that fall in this field. The main waste in these industries is cloth and dye. Both wastes cannot be disposed anyhow, as they are harmful to the environment. Dye contains chemicals that are not only harmful to nature, but also to humans. The pieces of cloth that are discarded cannot rot; thus, they litter the environment. These clothes are normally disposed and recycled or used to make other things.
These industries also use washrooms that dispose a lot of water. It suffices to mention that the water disposal is often mixed with other water disposals from industries and homes because all water is treated the same.
Impact of Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC
There are several impacts of food and water, waste disposal system in the New York City. The impacts will be divided into two categories; the positive impacts and the negative impacts.
One of the positive impacts is that the waste disposal units help make the city clean. With the over population, cleanliness can be challenging. Getting the garbage out of the way makes it easier for people to clean their homes and offices. As mentioned, all homeowners have to do is leave the garbage outside and the disposal company picks it up and disposes it appropriately. The same can be said of the hotels. People who use disposal units have an easier way of disposing waste. The hardest, yet, organic things can be dumped in some disposal units. However, these units must have grinders to break the organic material into smaller bits.
Another impact that can be considered positive is the proper disposal of waste. Waste would cover the whole earth if the disposal plans were left to individuals. Garbage disposal companies know how to treat each type of garbage. For instance, organic waste is separated from non-organic waste. It is then broken down further and grouped to make disposal easier. Afterwards, the waste is disintegrated into environmental friendly products. Organic waste is mainly turned into manure, which is then sold to farmers. The non-organic materials are mostly recycled and reused.
On the other hand, the biggest disadvantage of the current food and water, waste disposal is the slow pace that is involved. Grogan argues that the over population has made the process excruciatingly slow (56). However, other scholars have explained that high technology is used to enhance the disposal process. Technology has advanced in many areas. However, only a few people focus on developing waste disposal. The same concept used in creating disposable units in the 1940s is still used today.
Another negative impact of food and waste disposal is the improper disposal of garbage. Even though there are many garbage disposal companies in the city, the population is way too high for effective disposal. Consequently, there are people and companies that keep garbage for long periods of time before it is disposed, which leads to pollution of the air and an increase in health risks. In the same breath, the disposal process has become expensive for many, especially those that live in the poorest parts of the city. The lack of extra money to pay for garbage disposal has left people throwing their dirty items on the streets, thereby enhancing environmental pollution.
The improper disposal of waste has led to other negative aspects. Environmental pollution tops the list. Both organic and non-organic matter pollutes the environment. For example, if the peelings of a banana are thrown on the ground, then it is evident that they will rot there if not removed. During the process, they will emit a horrible smell that will cause air pollution. On the other hand, a non-organic item will not rot. Both items can be very dangerous to human and animal life. Slipping on the banana peelings can cause a bad fall, resulting in bad injuries. In addition, the non-organic materials can hurt children and animals when trying to eat them.
Public Policy Solutions and Issues of Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC
Public policy has been used in various states to deal with the menace that can arise from waste disposal. The New York government webpage shows that the government has divided waste disposal policies and guidelines into three categories as follows: residents, schools, and businesses.
For residents, many companies are required to offer at least seven services of waste disposal (Ghoseiri and Javad 693). People are also required to know how to properly dispose their waste. Ghoseiri and Javad explain that teaching people the importance of separating their wastes properly makes them responsible and keen on protecting the environment (695). The city government also allows the waste disposal companies to set guidelines that aid the process of waste disposal. For example, DSNY urges residents to do several things to ensure that they have disposed their wastes properly (NYC Department of Sanitation 1).
The first thing the residents have to know is how to get rid of the common household items they do not use anymore (NYC Department of Sanitation 1). These things can be either organic or non-organic. However, the residents need to know how to dispose each one of them. In addition, the residents have to know the collection schedule so that they remove their trash bags on time to be collected by the disposal company.
The DSNY also encourages the residents to recycle some of the items they use at home. For example, plastic containers that are used in home food delivery are used as containers for cereals and so forth. The policy that touches on this issue allows the government to teach the community on how to best recycle the common household items that would have been disposed. The NYC government has also provided guidelines on how to dispose harmful items, like chemicals that are used in house cleaning and so forth (NYC Department of Sanitation 1). The government has also set up policies that allow residents to take back the things they do not use back to the manufacturers so that they do not have to dispose them inappropriately. In the same vein, the public is encouraged to dispose less waste, especially organic things, and donate the things they do not use, instead of throwing them out.
Grogan argues that businesses in New York City are also required to follow some strict guidelines that are backed up by set policies (19). For example, the Business Owners Bill of Rights gives guidelines of waste management in businesses. The bill also highlights that business owners have the right to access easy and reliable disposal services. The government does several abrupt inspections that check on matters of health to ensure that waste disposal is done correctly and on time. There are a very few policies that guide schools on waste disposal because most schools are categorized as businesses or public institutions.
It suffices to mention that the city government has also come up with policies for itself with regard to waste disposal. For example, all government departments are required to use the most energy efficient equipment to avoid polluting the environment. Such equipment also emits very little waste, making disposal easier. There are numerous other policies that have been drafted and passed in the state government concerning disposal. There are also policies that have been rejected. For example, in 2008 the state wanted to do away with home-installed disposal units that are placed in sinks. However, several months down the line, the ban was lifted due to the importance of the units.
Importance of Proper Waste Disposal
The essay discussed several aspects of waste disposal in the New York City. At this juncture, it is important to highlight the importance of proper waste disposal in the city. The first main advantage of proper waste disposal in the city is an improved health system. Waste carries a lot of germs, which are harmful to the health. For example, imagine a hospital that does not dispose its waste properly. The hospital will be dirty and smelly to say the least. Thus, it will be the worst place for the treatment of the sick. The same can be said for hotels and homes. Cholera is one of the diseases that erupt from poor sanitation and waste disposal.
The second benefit of proper waste disposal is the preservation of the environment. The importance of environment preservation has been highlighted all through the paper. Additionally, reasons why waste disposal has to be done properly have been cited. One such reason is that there are some wastes that do not rot and disintegrate. In addition, poor waste disposal can lead to air pollution, as organic wastes smell awful.
It suffices to mention that proper waste disposal will also enhance the economy of the city. Being the worlds capital city, New York attracts very many people on a yearly basis. Making sure that the city is clean will increase the number of people who go there as tourists. Similarly, more international businesses will be willing to invest in a clean city compared to a dirty one, as they will know people will have time to purchase their products.
In the same vein, proper disposal of wastes makes the people comfortable in their residents. Ghoseiri and Javad explain that it is very uncomfortable for people who are clean and dispose of their wastes properly in their homes to walk and work in a dirty environment (693). Such people lose interest in working and register lower performance levels.
Reaction to Waste Disposal
Grogan argues that the New York City government has done a lot to ensure that waste management is done appropriately (15). There have been cases where the government has been accused of poor policies in matters of waste management. However, from the discussion presented, it is clear that the government is proactive in proper waste disposal.
The policies that have been put in place help the government to maintain and control waste disposal. Companies have to register and be approved by the government to start businesses as disposal companies. This ensures that the disposal companies also have the right equipment to dispose the waste. There are companies that do not dispose the waste, but only collect it from businesses and residential places. In such cases, the government has ensured that the laws that govern those who dispose the wastes also govern those who just collect it (Ghoseiri and Javad 693).
Currently, the government does not own the waste disposal process, but it is a private business. Resultantly, it is the individual disposal companies that set the rates for the services they offer. Grogan (34) reveals that the government has not made any significant efforts to regulate the rates of waste disposal. This has led to a lot of conflict, as some residents refuse to pay waste disposal companies for their services. In turn, the process is stalled and environmental pollution increase. To solve this problem, it has been suggested that waste disposal service fee be included in the house rent for those who live in rental apartments and houses.
What Happens to the Waste?
It is not enough to mention waste disposal without attempting to discuss what happens to the waste. To many people, the disposal ends when the trash bag is collected by the disposal company. However, as Grogan reveals, that is just the beginning (23). First, the trash has to be taken to the disposal company, where it is separated accordingly. Separate categories are treated separately. For example, foodstuffs are treated to make manure and animal feed.
The same cannot be said of plastics and other similar containers. These are cleaned and taken back to the manufacturers where applicable. The wastes that cannot be taken back to the manufacturers are cleaned and reused as completely different things. For example, toilet paper and normal paper can be remade during the recycling process. There are individuals who also cycle their waste disposal. For example, containers can be reused to store grains. Food wastes can be given to pets to avoid wastage, while clothes can be donated to charity. All these have to work together to ensure that the whole system is functioning as expected. If the collectors fail to take the waste, then the disposal process will be stalled. In the same breath, if the residents do not remove their trash bags on time, then the process will also be stalled.
Conclusion
In conclusion, waste disposal in New York is controlled by the policies that the state government has installed. It would be very difficult for the government to monitor the waste disposal process without these policies, as the sector would be purely run by the private sector. The policies that are used in controlling and monitoring waste disposal fall into three main categories. These are residents, schools, and businesses. Each category has specific guidelines to guide waste disposal. For example, the New York City residents are required to know the schedule of garbage collection in order to remove their trash bins in time for the collection. Businesses, on the other hand, have to ensure that a reliable disposer takes all their trash.
Works Cited
Ghoseiri, Keivan, and Lessan Javad. Waste Disposal Site Selection Using an Analytic Hierarchal Pairwise Comparison and ELECTRE Approaches Under Fuzzy Environment. Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems 26.2 (2014): 693-704. Print.
Grogan, Peter L. Return to Sender. Biocycle 41.1 (2000): 75-75. Print.
Keil, Beth Landman, Ian Spiegelman, David Amsden, Abbey Goodman. Opponent Thinks Silver is Wasted. New York 33.37 (2000): 13-13. Print.
NYC Department of Sanitation. Recycling and Garbage. 2014. Web.
Directed by Robbert Kenner in 2008, the American documentary film Food Inc., attempts to examine the commercialization and mechanization of the American food production industry. The film was developed between 2007 and 2009 with the aim of exposing the negative aspects of commercialization and mechanization of the American food production industry (Weber, 2009).
Problems facing fast-food restaurants such as MacDonalds
The film exposes a number of issues associated with the governments role in increasing the rate of corn production. Corn production has become cheap and easy, thanks to mechanization and genetic engineering (Kenner, 2008). However, overproduction means that the government has to look for some ways of ensuing that the excess corn is utilized. MacDonalds and other fast-food companies are forced to use corn because it is cheap and readily available. They devise ways of incorporating corn as the main ingredient in some of the products, including burgers and cheese (Weber, 2009).
Then, they offer these products at a cheap price. Nevertheless, this is a problem because in most cases, an E. coli bacterium is found replicating in corn due to unhealthy production processes. In addition, corn is highly modified genetically to allow it to grow and mature fast, but at the expense of human and animal health (Deardorff, 2009). Fast food companies are faced with an economic problem because they are the major target for modern health campaigns and enthusiasts who tend to tarnish the names of the fast-food producers. In addition, with an increasing trend towards organic foods, fast food companies are set to lose a large part of their clientele, resulting in economic problems.
Corporate behavior in food production
According to the film, the American food production industry is highly controlled by the bourgeois class, which mostly consists of large corporations that have achieved government backing. Laws have been made and enacted to protect the interest of these companies at the expense of human health. The film cites the roles and practices of companies like Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Monsanto Company, and Smithfield Foods in controlling food production (Deardorff, 2009).
One of the major roles that these companies play in controlling food production in the country is to regulate what farmers do. They make compulsory practices that their farmers must abide by in order to increase production and reduce costs. For example, a chicken farmer, who is one of the contractors under Tyson Foods, reveals that the company regulates animal production in their farms by using inhumane methods of animal handling (Weber, 2009). She says that chicken fed with foods that make them grow excessively big within a few days. The film shows some 30 day-old chicken moving for a short distance before collapsing from excessive weight. In addition, the farmer says that chicken are kept in tiny houses without windows or other ventilations. They remain there all day and night without seeing sunlight (Kenner, 2008).
The film also highlights the practices at meat production companies such as Smithfield Foods. For example, employees at Smithfields hog processing say that they are forced to work within small spaces. They are overworked as they do the hogs. For instance, they are forced to slaughter about 32,000 hogs per day within tiny spaces where health threats are real (Biancolli, 2009). Some say that infections are possible because much of their work involves handling intestines, stomach offal and other parts of the animal gut.
An important thing to note in this case is that companies like Smithfield reduce their cost of production because illegal immigrants, especially those from Mexico and other South American nations, desperately accept jobs at low wages (Kenner, 2008). Most of them are illegally in the US, which means that they remain in these jobs as long as they are receiving salaries and protection from the law. Since the illegal immigrants are ready to accept any jobs, the companies force them to overwork within small spaces where work ethics are not applicable (Biancolli, 2009).
However, these practices pose some economic threats to the companies. For instance, hiring unqualified immigrants and placing them in small spaces is likely to cause massive rate of infection at the plants (Biancolli, 2009). In case these infections happen, it will be impossible to conceal information from the public. The companies are likely to face bad reputation, causing massive losses in terms of sales and profits.
The role of FDA and SDA in food production: Inability to protect human health
The film reveals that some of the government agents set to protect the public from health threats are controlled by the very institutions they are supposed to regulate. An example is FDA, an agent established with an aim of regulating the type of foodstuffs offered to the public. For example, the director says that the FDA used to perform more than 50,000 tests on food quality in 1970s, but today, it only carries out less than 10,000 tests. This means laxity in the company or inability to control the food industry. In fact, the film reveals that the consolidation of food production is now controlled by a handful of multibillion corporations that carry out their own food investigations and defy the FDA rules (Deardorff, 2009).
Conclusion
The film highlights the impact of the processes and practices of the food production industry on animal and plant health and the subsequent impact of these factors on human health. The production of junk foods and contaminated plant and animals products seems to be real. In addition, commercialization and mechanization of the processes, together with cheap labor from Mexico, shows that the industries are interested in increasing their profitability levels at the expense of human and environmental health (Weber, 2009).
References
Biancolli, A. (2009). Review: Food, Inc. Not for the Squeamish. San Francisco Chronicle, p. 23.
Deardorff, J. (2009). Food, Inc.: How Factory Farming Affects You. Chicago Tribune, p. 27.
Kenner, R. (Dir.). (2008). Food, Inc [DVD]. New York: Magnolia Pictures.
Weber, K. (2009). Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food Is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and PoorerAnd What You Can Do About It. New York, NY: PublicAffairs.
According to the article by Louise Lucas called Food groups aim expansion recipes at local consumers published on 14th September 2011 published in the Financial Times, Africa has large potential for international food and beverage business. The business is likely to boom in the economies because of its high population, wealth distribution, competitiveness, government policies, and the nature and style of the continents lifestyle. According to the article, the most crucial aspect when working in the market is to understand the target market and aim at providing products of the right quality , price, and tastes (Louise, 2011).
Some countries in Africa has high population that offers food and beverage industry market and labor necessary for the survival of the industry; high populated countries like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt have population that can consume the products to support the industry. When it comes to labor, the industry is labor intensive; there are numerous unemployed skilled and unskilled people in the continent that can offer such at competitive prices.
In the fight of hunger and promotion of foreign direct investments, African government has policies that target international companys investments in the continents; with such incentives, international companies in the food and beverage industry benefit.
Political, legal, economic and cultural environment of Nigeria
When operating in international scenes, its important for a business to undertake an international business venture analysis:
Politics
Nigeria has been under military rule for 33 years from 1966 until 1999; however, the country held peaceful election in 1999, when Olusegun Obasanjo, was accorded power in a peaceful transition, in 2010, after the death of Umaru Musa YarAdua, Goodluck Jonathan assumed the leadership of the western African country. The system of governance follows the Westminster System model, with an executive president and he is the head of state. During election, the president is the candidate with the majority vote and is expected to be in office for a term of our two time elective post.
Legal
In Nigeria the constitution is supreme where both national and international companies are expected to abide to the rules; companies are governed by companies act that has certain requirements that the government wants them meet, they include taxation, making returns, meeting requirements of minimum wages, and registration.
Economics
Federal Republic of Nigeria is regarded as a middle income state with a mixed economy; according to the world bank report, Nigeria is one of the few world countries that have clicked the point of middle class and has the potential of becoming a first world country if its resources are utilized appropriately. The large population in the country is a source of labor; human resources and natural resources combined has made the countrys economy being the 37th in the world and second in Africa according to 2007 world GDP (PPP) report. A joint report by Economist Intelligence Unit and the World Bank, in 2009 stated that the countrys GDP was 292.6 billion in 2007; this was a sharp rise from 170.7 billions recorded in 2005. During the year, the GDP per capita was $692 in 2005 but rose to $1,754 per person in 2007 (Federal Government of Nigeria 2011)
The country economy is driven by oil and fuel reserves that are exploited by modern technology; trade in the country is supported by government initiatives and infrastructure like communication, transports and technology. In 2010, Citi-Group, the country economic standing is expected to be on an upward rise until 2050; the constant growth has been facilitated by technological innovations and adoptions in the country.
Culture
The people of Nigeria are divided mostly between Christians, Muslims and earthiest; they have their culture rooted in the religion that one subscribes to. Culture of the country is that they need to live within their means and treat themselves occasionally. Although the country is performing relatively well in the region, the economic development has been hampered by corruption, bad governance and military rule as has been experienced in the country. There are times that the country has had clashes among the people and this has hampered the attainment of developmental goals.
In the entire sub-Saharan countries, Nigeria is considered as one of the country with the richest natural and human resources only if they are exploited and used in an effective manner. The country has the extremes of having the rich and the poor within the economy thus hindering revolutionist that is associated with the rich in the community (Federal Government of Nigeria 2011).
Nigeria rank in the Global Competitiveness Report? What are the major challenges to doing business in Nigeria and are these challenges primarily political, economic, and cultural?
According to Global Competiveness report of 2009-2010, Nigeria was ranked 127th best country to do business; the statistics can also be interpolated that the country was 13th worst country to do business.
The low ranking of the country can be attributed to politics and ineffective government frameworks that the country has enacted; to get an operating license in the country is a hassle and the rate of bribe is one of the highest in the world. The economic richness of the country, oil, also contributes to rivalry among people of different class, locations, and wealth distribution. Such political rivalry makes the environment challenging for international business.
Although the countrys culture cannot be fully blamed for the low ranking, Nigerians are proud, boastful, and choosy; such characters are likely to hinder the prosperity of food and beverage industry in the country (Martin, 2006).
References
Federal Government of Nigeria. 2011. Official Website of Nigerian Government. Web.
Louise, L. 2011. Food groups aim expansion recipes at local consumers. Web.
Martin, M. (2006). Nigeria: current issues and historical background. New York: Nova Publishers.
The level of hygiene at the workplace is very important in the hospitality industry especially when preparing food. A high standard of hygiene is emphasized in order to prevent food contamination or poisoning. The food handlers should also be physically well. This means that they should not handle food if they are sick since this can lead to food contamination. This paper focuses on the significance of hygiene in regard to food preparation (chicken).
The Preparation Process
Chicken is generally considered to be a hazardous food because it usually carries the salmonella bacteria. This type of bacteria is one of the major causes of food poisoning. Thus if the chicken is not properly cooked or stored the bacteria in it can survive and cause food poisoning. Chicken is also hazardous because it contains a lot of proteins. Proteins usually provide a fertile ground for the multiplication of bacteria. Thus if chicken is not stored according to the time and temperature regulations, it can easily be contaminated.
Cross contamination may have occurred at the following stages of the food preparation process. The cooks cleaned the chicken using unwashed hands. Besides, they did not clean the knife and the chopping board that was used in the process. Thus the chickens were contaminated by the germs or bacteria that were in the hands of the cooks. The germs or bacteria further contaminated the stuffing since the same board was used to prepare them. The sick cook also contaminated the chicken when he stopped to blow his nose.
The chicken were left on the bench overnight and found to have fully thawed the following morning. Thus the bacteria in the chicken got the opportunity to grow during the thawing process as the temperature became favorable for their growth.
The sandwich had the potential of causing food poisoning due to the following reasons. First, the cooked chicken used to fill them was not covered in the fridge. Since they were also stored on the bottom shelf, the liquid from the thawing items that were stored in the upper shelves could have possibly contaminated them. Second, the lettuce, tomatoes and carrots that were served with the sandwich were raw. Thus if they were not properly cleaned, the germs or bacteria in them could have possibly caused food poisoning.
The micro-organisms that cause food poisoning include bacteria and viruses. The common types of bacteria that cause food posing include the salmonella that is common in chicken.
Avoiding Food Poisoning
Food poisoning could have been avoided by the following techniques. First, the cooks should have maintained high standards of hygiene by washing their hands and the utensils they used to prepare the food. Besides, the sick cook should not have been allowed to handle the food in order to prevent cross contamination. Second, proper storage could have helped to manage the situation. This involves storing the food at controlled temperature as well as covering it to avoid contamination.
Third, testing if cooked helps to ensure that the food is fully cooked. The bacteria that cause food poisoning are only destroyed if the food is properly cooked. The thawing process should not take too long since it gives the bacteria an opportunity to grow. Finally, the correct cooking procedure in terms of setting the right temperature and time can help in preventing food poisoning. This is because it leads to the destruction of the micro-organisms that cause the poisoning.