We often regard food and water as the fundamental sources of nourishment—essential fuel for our bodies and minds. Yet today, these vital resources have been weaponized, exploited by corporate and political systems. From the processed foods on our plates to the fluoridated water we consume, the very substances we depend on for life are actively undermining our physical and mental health. This chapter will delve into the mechanisms of this manipulation, highlighting how corporate influence shapes our diets and hydration. We will uncover the connections between these practices and a larger system that profits from our dependence on unhealthy choices, driving us into the arms of another colossal industry: Big Pharma.

How the Food We Eat Affects Our Brain and Body

The connection between diet and health is undeniable, but the reality goes much deeper than simple nutrition. The food industry, driven by convenience and profit, has engineered products that wreak havoc on our bodies. Processed foods—packed with sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial chemicals—are designed to be addictive and cost-effective, rather than nutritious.

This manipulation is no accident, and one of the most troubling connections comes from Phillip Morris, a company once notorious for manufacturing highly addictive cigarettes. When regulations and public awareness made it harder to market tobacco products, Phillip Morris shifted its focus to the food industry. They bought Kraft Foods and General Foods, leveraging their expertise in creating addictive products to develop processed foods that consumers couldn’t resist. Using similar techniques—scientifically engineered flavors, strategic marketing, and additives—the company transitioned from selling cigarettes to selling food. The same principles that drove people to become hooked on nicotine were now being applied to the things we eat every day, with similarly devastating effects on public health.

Through this lens, we can see how the food industry’s practices are not only about profit but also about control. This chapter will explore how corporations like Phillip Morris have continued to shape our diets and health in ways that prioritize their bottom line over our well-being. By filling our diets with selectively engineered foods, they create cycles of dependency that are hard to break, much like their former tobacco products.

Lobbying, Subsidies, & Advertisements: The Rise of Processed Foods

The rise of processed foods in America has a fascinating—and often troubling—history that dates back to the Great Depression. During this turbulent time, the U.S. government stepped in with agricultural subsidies, aiming to stabilize the food supply and support farmers struggling to survive the economic storm. While these efforts were noble in intent, they set off a chain reaction that has profoundly impacted public health and our food culture forever.

Fast forward to today, and crops like corn, soy, and wheat have become the very backbone of American agriculture due to these century old policies. This dominance isn’t due to their nutritional benefits, but rather the sheer force of government support. What started as a safety net for farmers has morphed into a sprawling industrial farming complex that prioritizes corporate profits over the well-being of the population.

The real turning point came in the 1970s, when soaring food prices created a perfect storm that allowed multiple industries to reshape the market. What some might call innovation was, perhaps more accurately, a troubling transformation. With a surplus of cheap corn flooding the market, the question became: what to do with it all? As sugar prices skyrocketed, scientists were tasked with finding a cost-effective alternative, leading to the creation of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This new sweetener quickly became the go-to choice for food manufacturers, thanks to its low cost and incredible versatility.

HFCS infiltrated everything from sodas to sauces, transforming processed foods into sugar-laden staples. To make matters worse, over 90% of American-grown corn today is genetically modified, amplifying concerns about the long-term impacts on health and the environment. While HFCS has undeniably boosted corporate profits, it has also taken a heavy toll on public health, fueling a rise in obesity and chronic diseases across the nation.

Around this same time in the 70s, the dairy industry hit the jackpot. Under President Jimmy Carter, a new subsidy policy was introduced to combat milk prices that had surged by a staggering 30%. Farmers began producing a surplus, turning excess milk into anything they could sell—cheese, butter, powdered milk—whatever it took to cash in on the subsidies. At one point, the U.S. government was sitting on an astonishing 500 million pounds of surplus dairy across 35 states. This led to the infamous distribution of 300 million pounds of ‘government cheese’ to low-income families. While it provided much-needed assistance during a financial crisis, it also left a lasting imprint on American culture.

Then came the USDA Food Pyramid in 1992—a guide supposedly designed to help Americans make healthier choices. Yet, rather than presenting an accurate picture of a balanced diet, it quickly became a tool for the dairy, grain, and meat industries, which wielded substantial influence over the guidelines through lobbying efforts. Despite mounting evidence in favor of a more balanced approach, the USDA’s recommendations leaned heavily toward over-consumption of these industry-backed foods. This alignment with corporate interests ultimately prioritized profits over public health.

As a result, an entire generation—particularly millennials—was guided by this flawed system, which shaped dietary habits and misinformed millions. Over 32 years later, this profit-driven guidance continues to influence our eating patterns, contributing to the nation’s ongoing health decline.

One of the pyramid’s most glaring flaws was its heavy emphasis on carbohydrates, recommending a staggering 6 to 11 servings of grains daily. This tragedy failed to differentiate between wholesome whole grains and unhealthy refined options. The reliance on refined carbs not only spiked blood sugar levels but also contributed to increased fat storage and a surge in chronic diseases that continue to challenge our health today. The algorithm of control embedded within these policies is even more potent today, ensuring that corporate interests remain at the forefront of dietary guidelines.

And just when it seemed the landscape couldn’t get any more convoluted, the dairy industry launched a masterstroke in marketing: the “Got Milk?” campaign in 1993. This was more than just a catchy slogan; coupled with the food pyramid, it served as a strategic push to cement milk as a cornerstone of a healthy diet. With dairy subsidies ending in 1990 and milk consumption on the decline, the campaign cleverly employed celebrity endorsements and cultural icons to promote the notion that drinking milk was essential for strong bones and overall health—even as scientific studies began to cast doubt on those claims.

What made this particularly troubling was the high percentage of people, especially minorities, who are allergic or lactose intolerant. Yet, the “Got Milk?” ads perpetuated the idea that milk was a necessary component of a healthy diet, allowing it to maintain its status as a dietary staple despite mounting evidence of potential health risks.

If you thought the meat industry was innocent, think again. Toady only four firms control the majority of the meat processing market, allowing them to push higher prices on consumers while reaping record profits. In 2020 they spent a whopping 4.1 million on lobbying, and Since 1995, the Department of Agriculture has forked out over $50 million on the livestock industry in subsities. Notice the irony in how they give to each other back and forth? It should come at no surprise that since 1977, federal dietary advice has shifted from recommending that Americans “decrease consumption of meat” to now encouraging “two to three daily servings.”

Consider this, over 523 million dollars was spent between 2019-2023 on the “Farm Bill” alone. This amount has risen 22 percent, from $145 million in 2019 to $177 million in 2023. These groups started lobbying from the moment the last farm bill was enacted, showing that they are always working to influence this legislation in their favor. When companies can buy their way into policy, how can we trust the science?

Even the organic food industry, once a refuge for health-conscious consumers, has not escaped corporate compromise. Large-scale organic farms have successfully lobbied to weaken regulations, making it increasingly difficult to trust what is genuinely organic. The organic label has been diluted to align with corporate interests, leaving consumers confused and eroding trust in what were once reliable, healthier choices.

We’re not done yet, the worst is yet to come. Corporate influence doesn’t stop at advertising or lobbying—it reaches deep into the core of our regulatory systems. The lobbying power of industries is reinforced by the “revolving door” between government and corporations, where former officials transition into high-paying roles within the very industries they once governed, or vice versa. This revolving door guarantees that regulations are shaped with corporate profits in mind, not public safety. Institutions like the FDA and USDA, which were originally established to protect the public, have become infiltrated—not by foreign enemies, but by individuals from within our own communities: friends and neighbors who prioritize personal gain over the nation’s health. This further corrupts the very agencies meant to safeguard us, eroding trust and leaving the public unarmed and unaware of the forces guiding this algorithm of control.

Take Thomas Vilsack, for example. He started his political career as Mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, from 1987 to 1992, before becoming a state senator from 1992 to 1998, and later serving as Governor of Iowa from 1998 to 2006. After a brief stint as a lobbyist in 2006-2007, he practiced law, representing none other than opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (more on that later). Then, from 2009 to 2017, he served as Secretary of Agriculture. So far, it seems like a steady rise through the ranks, right?

But then things take a turn. In 2017, he became President of the Dairy Export Council, holding the position until 2021. Shortly after, he returned to the White House under Biden, resuming his role as Secretary of Agriculture once again. He still serves as our secretary of agriculture today. Funny how that works, huh?

This story isnt unique, its the exact way the government function. You’re likely to find those at the top of any major industry worked in politics at a legislative level. Whether its food, pharmaceuticals, oil, finance, this isn’t limited to a single industry. Its all of them.

As we explore Monsanto, we will see more examples of exactly how policy gets corrupted by this broken foundation in our system. The consequences are not just on our plates—they’re in our hospitals, our communities, and our future

Monsanto’s Legacy: From Lab To Plate It’s What We Eat

Few companies have sparked as much public controversy as Monsanto, the world’s largest biotech firm, known for its production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs),and pesticides like Roundup. Dubbed ‘the evilest company in the world,’ Monsanto is responsible for some of the most heinous creations in modern history. From Agent Orange and glyphosate to plutonium bombs and GMOs, Monsanto’s legacy is marred by environmental destruction and public health crises. While we won’t dive into every detail here, we will explore the critical role they play in the food industry.

Lets begin with Michael R. Taylor, another prime example of the “revolving door” between regulatory agencies and the industries they oversee. He worked at the FDA from 1976 to 1980 and again from 1991 to 1994, before serving as an administrator at the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service from 1994 to 1996. Afterward, he entered the private sector, leading the food and drug law practice at King & Spalding. From 1996-2000 He became Vice President for Public Policy at Monsanto. Only to return to the FDA from 2009 to 2010.Sound farm-iliar?

During his time at the FDA, particularly in the 1990s, Taylor played a key role in shaping GMO policy, allowing GMOs to be marketed without mandatory safety testing or labeling requirements. Coincidence? I think not.

These GMOs and patented seeds have given Monsanto immense control over global agriculture, often trapping farmers in a cycle of dependence, debt and dispair. These “Roundup Ready GMO” crops are engineered to either withstand glyphosate, the active ingredient in the company’s herbicide, or they are coated in it. They include soybeans, corn, and cotton, cannot be handled without gloves, and come with a strict warning label. Keep this all in mind as we move along.

Another one of the most egregious examples of corporate influence over public health is the story of aspartame, an artificial sweetener discovered in 1965 by G.D. Searle & Company, a firm later acquired by Monsanto. After being banned by the FDA for 17 years due to safety concerns, aspartame was approved in 1981, thanks to Donald Rumsfeld, CEO of G.D. Searle and former Secretary of Defense. Rumsfeld used his political connections to push aspartame’s approval through, despite studies linking it to brain tumors and neurological damage. To this day, aspartame remains in widespread use, despite ongoing health concerns and its connection to certain neurological disorders.

Alright, enough about the revolving door of politics—I could go on all day. Let’s shift our focus to some litigation. “The Monsanto Papers” refer to internal company documents that came to light during lawsuits involving Roundup, Monsanto’s herbicide containing glyphosate. These lawsuits were filed by individuals who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup, and the documents revealed that Monsanto was aware of the cancer risks associated with glyphosate. Instead of addressing these risks transparently, internal communications showed that Monsanto actively suppressed negative research and focused on damage control.

The papers also revealed Monsanto’s practice of ghostwriting scientific studies, making glyphosate appear safer than it was, and their efforts to influence regulatory bodies like the EPA. They actively worked to discredit findings by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which classified glyphosate as a human carcinogen. Additionally, Monsanto ran PR campaigns to manage public perception, “planting” stories and downplaying risks.

As a result of the exposure, Monsanto—now owned by Bayer (more on that later )—faced thousands of lawsuits, resulting in billions of dollars in settlements. The Monsanto Papers reveal the extent of corporate influence over science, regulation, and public opinion, showcasing how companies can manipulate data and prioritize profits at the expense of public health.

Let me get this straight. Glyphosate—an herbicide designed to kill plants, linked to cancer, and made by the same company behind Agent Orange—is being sprayed on the food we eat, which has been genetically engineered to resist this poison. And the policy allowing this was approved by a regulatory agency where a former executive of that very company held a key position in the Department of Agriculture. But we’re supposed to trust that it’s safe to digest? And I’m the crazy one for questioning the science. Got it.”

What if I told you they were linked to 290,000 suicides? Monsanto’s Bt cotton seeds, marketed as pest-resistant, brought devastating consequences to India. GMO seeds are patented and sterile, forcing farmers to buy new every year. When their crops failed—not due to neglect, but circumstances beyond their control—farmers were left drowning in debt, with no way out. Since the 1990s, this has led over 290,000 Indian farmers to take their own lives.

The story doesn’t end here. In 2018, Monsanto merged with Bayer. That’s right—the pharmaceutical giant. The same company that owns Rituxan, a drug used to treat lymphoma—the very cancer that The Monsanto Papers proved glysophate causes. You couldn’t make this up if you tried. It’s like something straight out of Black Mirror—only worse.

Monsanto’s legacy—environmental destruction, public health crises, and corporate greed—is a stark reminder of how deeply corporate interests shape our food system. Their merger with Bayer only amplifies the threat, as power is consolidated over both agriculture, healthcare, and even policy. From genetically modified crops to chemicals that poison our bodies, Monsanto has consistently placed profits over people, creating a toxic ecosystem where illness is inevitable, and dependence on pharmaceuticals is the only option.

They’re all in it together—except for one odd group left out: us.

Fluoride in the Water: A Toxic Legacy

It’s not just the food— even the water we drink is subject to manipulation. Fluoride, added to public water supplies in the 1940s to combat tooth decay, hides an even darker history. Originally a byproduct of industrial processes—specifically aluminum and phosphate fertilizer production—fluoride was repurposed as a “public health initiative” through corporate lobbying. While fluoride’s benefits to dental health have been debated, its harmful effects are clearer. Classified as a neurotoxin in large quantities, fluoride exposure has been linked to lower IQ levels, cognitive delays, and neurological disorders in children. Despite this, the U.S. government continues to promote its use, a testament to how industrial interests often override public health.

What was once an industrial waste product is now a normalized part of the American diet. From every single bottle of water you buy to the shower you bathe in, fluoride exposure is ubiquitous, and its consequences are largely hidden from view. While other nations exercise caution, the U.S. continues to prioritize industrial interests over the health of its citizens.

Factory Farms and Human Health: A Hidden Crisis

Corporations like Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, and JBS USA dominate the factory farming industry. If you consumed meat today, there’s a high chance they were the supplier, no matter where you are in the country. Their vast reach and influence make it nearly impossible to avoid their products, underscoring the monopolistic control they hold over the nation’s meat supply. Their influence over legislation is vast. From environmental to labor and animal welfare laws, their control over the regulatory landscape prioritizes profit over public health, environmental sustainability, and transparency.

Factory farms also have significant environmental impacts. Polluted runoff from these farms contaminates local water supplies, while the methane they produce contributes to climate change. Both pose long-term risks to public health and food security.

Today, livestock are slaughtered at just 18-24 months, a drastic change from the 4-5 years typical in the past. The conditions these animals endure are often so dire that antibiotics become necessary just to keep them alive, raising serious concerns about both meat quality and consumer health. Growth hormones used to accelerate their development have been linked to early puberty and increased cancer risks in humans.

The widespread use of antibiotics, hormones, and steroids not only promotes rapid growth but also helps prevent disease in these overcrowded facilities. However, this overuse has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, leading to over 2.8 million infections in the U.S. each year. This escalation poses a grave threat to human health, as we grapple with the long-term consequences of these industrial practices.

The crowded, unsanitary conditions in which animals are raised also create breeding grounds for pathogens like E. coli and salmonella. A recent documentary revealed that 30% of Perdue chicken purchased from grocery stores all across the country tested positive for salmonella. Even with regulations, contamination is widespread, leading to millions of Americans contracting foodborne illnesses annually.

Despite all of this, they leverage their immense influence to lobby for weak regulations that allow harmful and unethical practices to persist. One major victory has been the push for Ag-Gag laws, which make it illegal to film, photograph, or record farm operations without consent, effectively silencing whistleblowers from exposing unsafe or abusive conditions. Even flying a personal drone over a factory farm is a crime under these laws. This legal shield keeps factory farms hidden from public scrutiny, allowing inhumane treatment and unsanitary conditions to thrive out of sight.

In addition, Right to Farm laws protect these corporations from lawsuits related to pollution, odor, and other environmental impacts, even when they severely affect surrounding communities. Factory farming giants have also secured exemptions from the Animal Welfare Act, ensuring that animals like poultry receive little to no legal protections. They have successfully lobbied to weaken inspection standards as well, allowing their operations to skirt thorough oversight. Environmental regulations are another area where the industry’s lobbying has been fruitful, as factory farms have received exemptions from the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, avoiding accountability for massive emissions and water pollution caused by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Labor laws have also been influenced, as agricultural workers on factory farms are often excluded from basic protections such as overtime pay and safe working conditions. Another significant win for the industry was its successful effort to block Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) laws, which would have required meat products to disclose where the animals were raised or slaughtered. By opposing these labeling requirements, corporations can import animals from countries with lower safety and ethical standards, and market them as American meat. All without informing consumers.

The Teflon Legacy: C8 and Its Global Impact

Teflon, a household name synonymous with convenience in cooking, carries a legacy far darker than its glossy non-stick surface suggests. At the heart of this story is C8, or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a synthetic chemical crucial in the production of Teflon. While the material revolutionized kitchens and industries worldwide, the hidden dangers of C8 stretch far beyond cookware.

C8 belongs to the family of “forever chemicals,” known for their resistance to breaking down in the environment or the human body. These chemicals accumulate over time, and their effects are staggering. Exposure to C8 has been linked to serious health conditions like cancer, liver damage, and reproductive issues, but the problem runs deeper. In an alarming revelation, nearly 99% of the global population has tested positive for traces of C8 in their bloodstream, a direct result of widespread environmental contamination.

The Ohio River became ground zero for this environmental catastrophe when C8 was leaked into its waters, unknowingly polluting drinking water sources for millions. From there, the contamination spread globally, finding its way into rivers, oceans, and even our food supply. This chemical’s omnipresence is now a global crisis, underscoring how industrial negligence can impact the planet’s most vital resources.

Teflon’s parent company, DuPont, kept this threat hidden for years, shielding the world from knowledge of C8’s toxicity. It wasn’t until lawsuits surfaced that the truth came to light, forcing the company to compensate affected communities. Yet, even as legal battles rage on, the damage to public health is irreversible. C8’s persistence means it stays in the environment for generations, altering DNA, affecting gene expression, and passing these harmful changes down to future descendants.

Plastic in Our Bodies: The Silent Invasion of Microplastics

Once celebrated for its convenience, plastic has become a pervasive threat to both the environment and human health. Algorithmic ads and data-driven supply chains relentlessly push single-use plastics on consumers, embedding them in daily life. Yet, the true cost is only now coming to light.

Microplastics, now found everywhere—from the air we breathe to the food we eat—have even been discovered in human brains, potentially making up to 0.5% of brain weight. These particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, causing inflammation, disrupting hormones, and impairing cognitive functions. They also carry harmful chemicals, including endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive and developmental issues.

The environmental damage is equally severe, as microplastics infiltrate ecosystems and contaminate the food chain. Fish ingest them, passing the pollution back to humans, perpetuating a cycle that affects both health and the planet. Driven by algorithms focused on profit, plastic waste fills oceans and landfills, breaking down into microplastics that persist indefinitely.

Corporations hold all the cards, with governing bodies prioritizing profit over public well-being, allowing capitalism to thrive at our expense. This imbalance reduces us to mere consumers in their profit-driven machine. The consequences? They may echo through generations, leaving a legacy of destruction if we don’t act soon.

Breaking Free from the Cycle: Reclaiming Health in a System Designed to Control

In a world where convenience often overshadows well-being, the food we consume is not just fuel for our bodies—it’s a reflection of the broader systems designed to shape our choices, often without our full awareness. The fight for transparency and corporate accountability is more important than ever, as we confront a future shaped forever chemicals, toxic waste, and corporate overlords. To protect future generations, we must advocate for stricter regulations, demand alternatives to harmful substances, and hold corporations responsible for the environmental and health crises they leave in their wake. By understanding the hidden mechanisms at play, we can break free from the cycle of manipulation and reclaim control over our health.

The truth is, we don’t have to be passive victims in a predatory food industry, where profits are prioritized over our well-being. Instead, we can rise as advocates, not only for our own health but for the future generations that will inherit this system. Armed with knowledge, we hold the power to disrupt the status quo. Even small actions, like sharing insights with your neighbors, friends, and family, can ripple out and create a wave of change that reshapes how we think about and approach nutrition. More serious actions, such as boycotting, have the potential to cripple these industries. The power lies in our hands. The first step is becoming informed, the second is uniting together, and the final step is taking decisive action. So, when do we start?

End chapter 5.