Volume explores Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation through the lens of the food industry. Coverage includes: an examination of Schlosser's life as an investigative journalist, Schlosser's view of the food industry as demonstrated in his book; how investigative journalism can be viewed as literature; how Fast Food Nation has changed people's perspectives and actions; criticisms of Fast Food Nation and its message, contemporary perspectives on the food industry, such as commentary on various food "movements" including the global food movement and the local food movement, and commentary on food regulations.

1. Background on Eric Schlosser. -- Eric Schlosser : exposing the underbelly of the US economy / Contemporary Authors -- Unhappy meals / Eric Schlosser, as told to Julia Livshin -- 2. Fast food nation and the food industry. -- Fast food nation exposes the McDonaldization of the US food industry / George Ritzer -- Exposé and excess / Cecelia Tichi -- Fast food nation has encouraged consumers to take action against the fast food industry / Andrew Engelson -- Fast food nation helps students become more aware of their food choices / Madhu Suri Prakash and Dana L. Stuchul -- Eric Schlosser's writings on the food industry obscure and ignore the facts / Steven C. Anderson -- Fast food nation highlights the food industry's ability to thwart meaningful regulation / Bill Whit -- The market will ultimately determine whether Fast food nation's suggestions are worth considering / Gary Alan Fine -- Fast food nation focuses too much on criticizing the corporatization of food / Steven A. Shaw -- The Fast food nation movie fails to communicate the book's messages / Dave Hoskin -- The documentary Food, Inc. expands on ideas in Fast food nation / Robert Kenner, as told to Rebecca Amato and Rahul Hamid -- 3. Contemporary perspectives on the food industry. -- The global food movement has improved food production worldwide / Frances Moore Lappé -- The local food movement will revolutionize the food industry / John Ikerd -- Will the Food Safety Modernization Act help prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness? / Michael R. Taylor -- Increased regulation under the Food Safety Modernization Act will have unintended negative consequences / Gary Wolensky, Anne Marie Ellis, and Kelly Regan.