Nutrition test 4 Ch. 12
The U.S. government currently provides monetary incentives for farmers to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.
FALSE. The U.S. federal government provides monetary incentives for farmers producing commodity crops such as corn and soybeans, but not a variety of fruits and vegetables. Learn more on page 462.
Most of the corn grown in the United States is used to feed animals, not humans.
TRUE. Although corn is the number-one food crop grown by American farmers, the majority is used to feed animals and not humans. Find out more about factors that impact what plants and animals U.S. farmers grow on page 463.
Energy costs, such as the cost of oil, influence the cost of food.
TRUE. Because much of our food in the United States travels long distances from farm to consumers, when the price of fuel such as oil increases, so must the cost of food. To find out more, turn to page 470.
LO 12.2 2. The majority of farms in the United States are a-small family run farms. b-large farms run by the United States government. c-large farms run by private companies. d-large farms run by overseas companies.
(a) The majority of farms in the United States are small family farms, though the total number of U.S. farms today is less than it has been in the past, in part because fewer family farmers are passing farms on to the next generation.
LO 12.6 8. U.S. farmers may receive subsidies from the U.S. government for growing which of the following products? a-corn b-carrots c-watermelon d-strawberries
(a) U.S. farmers may be eligible to receive subsidies (a form of financial aid) from the government when they grow specific crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans. Farmers who grow a variety of fruits and vegetables are typically not eligible for government subsidies.
LO 12.2 3. Most of the corn grown in the United States is a-used in the National School Lunch Program. b-used to feed animals. c-used to make high-fructose corn syrup. d-sold to local markets and eaten by Americans.
(b) Eighty percent of the corn grown in the United States is used to feed animals, not humans.
LO 12.3 4. Pound for pound, which of the following takes the greatest amount of natural resources to grow? a-poultry b-beef c-corn d-soy
(b) It takes more natural resources to grow livestock than it does grain. Of the common types of livestock grown for food in the United States, it takes more natural resources to raise beef than it does poultry.
LO 12.1 1. Food manufacturers spend the least amount of money on advertising which of the following foods? a-breakfast cereal b-candy and gum c-fruits and vegetables d-carbonated soft drinks
(c) Food manufacturers spend the least amount of money on advertising foods that are the healthiest for you, such as fruits and vegetables. Most advertising dollars are spent on foods that are processed, packaged, and high in added sugar and fat.
LO 12.7 10. You are in the supermarket shopping for cereal and find a package of raisin bran that bears the USDA Organic seal. You can be assured that in this cereal a-100 percent of the ingredients are certified organic. b-only ingredients that were grown without the use of any pesticide, even if some of the ingredients are not organic certified, are used. c-at least 95 percent of the ingredients are certified organic. d-at least 50 percent of the ingredients are certified organic.
(c) Only foods made with at least 95 percent organic ingredients can display the USDA Organic seal. If a product is made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients, an organic statement can be made, but the seal cannot be displayed. Some pesticides may be used to grow organic ingredients.
LO 12.4 6. Which of the following practices is a way to protect natural resources? a-growing as much of a single crop as possible year after year on a plot of land designated for the sole purpose of growing that specific crop b-chronically treating all livestock used in food production with antibiotics c-practicing integrated pest management d-growing livestock used in food production centrally in large feedlots, then transporting food produced from that livestock to consumers all over the country
(c) Practicing integrated pest management relies as much as possible on biological measures instead of chemical pesticides to control pests. In this method chemical pesticides are used only as a last resort. Chemical pesticides require large amounts of fossil fuels to produce; deplete the soil of nutrients, making it less fertile; and may pollute the environment in unintended ways.
LO 12.6 9. A food lobbyist works for a-the government. b-the interests of all food consumers. c-a food company or organization that has a vested interest in the outcome of food policy. d-only those in health care.
(c) While it would be nice to think that a food lobbyist works for the interests of all food consumers, in reality the lobbyist works for a company or organization that has an interest in the outcome of food policy. A lobbyist's job is to persuade government officials to vote in a direction favorable to the companies or organizations the lobbyist represents.
LO 12.3 5. Which of the following represents the most sustainable food choice? a-purchasing watermelon in Alaska in December (the middle of winter) b-eating a diet high in animal protein purchased from large chain suppliers c-purchasing only organically grown fruits and vegetables d-eating a mostly plant-based diet of mostly locally grown foods
(d) A sustainable diet is a healthy diet for you and for future generations. Plant-based protein requires fewer natural resources to produce than does animal-based protein. Locally grown food requires fewer energy resources to produce than does food that has to be transported long distances from farm to consumer.
LO 12.5 7. The process of isolating and inserting a gene from the DNA of one organism into the DNA of another organisms is called a-plant breeding. b-DNA insertion. c-bioterrorism. d-genetic engineering.
(d) Genetic engineering is the term used to describe the technique of inserting a segment of DNA from one organism into the DNA of another organism. The products of genetic engineering are genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Organic foods are more nutritious than nonorganic foods.
FALSE. Although organic foods do have some advantages when it comes to preserving the environment and introducing fewer pesticides and antibiotics into the food supply, there is little scientific evidence that they are more nutritious than foods that were grown using traditional methods. Learn more on page 485.
Food advertising has little effect on what foods most Americans buy and consume.
FALSE. Although you may think you are indifferent to food advertising, it likely has a significant impact on your food decisions.
All organic foods certified by the USDA are 100 percent pesticide free.
FALSE. Organic foods are not necessarily pesticide free. To learn more, turn to page 485.
The FDA requires special labels for products produced from the milk of cows treated with synthetic hormones.
FALSE. The U.S. government currently does not require label information to indicate whether or not animals were treated with synthetic hormones. Turn to page 473 to learn more about this interesting point of controversy.
LO 12.3 Sustainable Food Systems Are Environmentally Friendly, Economically Sound, and Socially Equitable
Food systems involve all aspects of producing, transporting, and distributing foods. Sustainable food systems are those that can be maintained for the long term in a manner that (1) protects and preserves natural resources, (2) provides access to affordable healthy foods and builds community wealth, and (3) advances ethical and fair treatment of individuals and animals in a way that empowers social responsibility. Locally grown and plant-based foods use fewer external resources and are the most sustainable food choices.
LO 12.7 Label Terms Can Help You Know How Food Was Produced
Foods labeled as organic certified are grown without the use of some synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bioengineering, or irradiation. Organically produced animal foods are produced without antibiotics or hormones. Organic foods usually cost more than conventionally grown foods, and there is little scientific evidence that they are more nutritious than conventionally grown foods, though they may have lower levels of pesticides and antibiotics than do conventionally grown foods.
LO 12.5 Biotechnology Is Used to Alter the Genetic Makeup of Plants
Genetically modified corn and soybeans, developed using a type of biotechnology known as bioengineering, have been grown in the United States for several years. Biotechnology may lead to the development of plants that have more desirable traits than the original, such as rice that is a good source of beta-carotene. Some consumers worry that genetically modified plants may alter the natural environment or ecological balance of the food system in unpredictable ways, but there is little scientific evidence to support these views.
LO 12.4 Food Additives, Chemical Enhancers, and Pesticides Play a Role in Food Production and Safety
Hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides are used to increase the yield of animal foods and crops. The FDA, USDA, and EPA regulate the use of these products, but some people have concerns over the long-term safety for humans when products from animals and plants treated with these substances are consumed by humans. In addition, contamination of water supplies by these products may harm the environment.
LO 12.2 Whole Foods and Ingredients Used to Make Processed Foods Come from Farms
Only 2 percent of the American public are farmers, yet more food is produced today than ever before in history. Farming is a type of agribusiness, a sector that encompasses how foods are developed, processed, distributed, and purchased. The major crops grown in the United States are corn, soybeans, and wheat, and the major animals raised for food are cows, pigs, and chickens. Many of the crops grown in the United States are used to feed the animals that are raised for food. The United States participates in both the import and export of foods.
LO 12.6 Food Policy Affects the Foods That Are Available to You to Buy and Consume
Several government agencies, including the FDA, FTC, USDA, and EPA, regulate the food industry and set national food and nutrition policy. The U.S. government is also a food consumer, and it purchases large amounts of surplus commodities that are used in various national food and nutrition programs. Large food companies often hire lobbyists to persuade politicians about food policy.
The majority of soybeans grown in the United States to produce soybean oil and other products are genetically modified.
TRUE. Genetically engineered forms of soybeans have been the mainstay in the United States since the 1990s. Find out more about bioengineering on page 478.
Plant-based diets are more sustainable than are diets high in animal-based foods.
TRUE. It takes fewer natural resources to raise plants for food than it does to raise animals for food, so a plant-based diet is more sustainable than a diet high in foods derived from animals. Turn to page 469 to learn more.
Most farms in the United States are family farms.
TRUE. Small family farms comprise the majority of farms in the United States. Learn more on page 460.
LO 12.1 Food Advertising and Marketing Affects Your Food Choices
The food industry spends large amounts of money on marketing and advertising its products, often to target audiences. The most heavily advertised foods are often the least nutritious.