Global Trends in Food Consumption

Food is our common ground, a universal experience.

– James Beard

Germany : The Melander family of BargteheideFood expenditure for one week: 375.39

Euros or $500.07

United States : The Revis family of North Carolina

Food expenditure for one week: $341.98

Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira CityFood expenditure for one week: 37,699

Yen or $317.25

Italy: The Manzo family of SicilyFood expenditure for one week:

214.36 Euros or $260.10

Mexico: The Casales family of CuernavacaFood expenditure for one week: 1,862.78

Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-JeziornaFood expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or

$151.27

Egypt: The Ahmed family of CairoFood expenditure for one week: 387.85

Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador: The Ayme family of TingoFood expenditure for one week:

$31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village

Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA

Francs or $1.23

Social and Cultural Norms

• Practices that are viewed acceptable by those in a society

• These views influence what people value, tolerate, eat, and the way they interact

• Identify the Social Norm

Foods can be social norms

Horse Butcher in France

Foie Gras – Duck liver that’s been force fed

grain in order to fatten.

Sun Dried Sea Horse

Tarantulas! YUMMY!!!

Balut Egg at 15 days old

Cambodian Dog Market

Horn worm eaten in South Africa

Chilled Monkey Brain

To understand how animals are useful to humanity, we must understand the factors that influence where and how animals live,

and their uses to humans. – W. Stephen Damron

Geography’s Influence

What enables a plant or animal to thrive in an area?

Adaptations

• An organism’s ability to adjust for survival in a specific environment

• Caused by:– Climatic Stresses– Nutritional Stresses– Internal Stresses– Geographical Stresses– Social Stresses

Climatic Stresses

• Climate is the long-time pattern of meteorological factors

• Weather is the immediate condition of these factors in a given area

• Primarily effects plants, but indirectly impacts animals.

• What are some examples of climates?

Climates of the World

Social and Cultural Norms

• Religion, recreation, and social customs help establish an animals value– A value established by one of these factors is often

greater than the animal’s food or work value

Religion’sImpact on the

Food weEat

Islam Judaism

HinduChristianity

• Followers are called Muslim• Foods are called “Halal” which means

“Lawful” or “Haram” which means “Unlawful”, each are identified in the Quaran

• Unlawful foods are:– Animals who die on their own– Blood– Meat from pigs (Almost no swine are found in

Islamic heavy areas)– Animals dedicated to other than Allal

Islam

Islam

• Zabihah is the prescribed method of animal slaughter– Animal must be fully conscious– Slaughter must be done by a Muslim or “People of

the Book” (Jew, Christian, or Rastafarian)– God’s name must be spoken at the time of

slaughter• Fish must have fins and scales to be “Halal”

– Catfish and some shellfish come into question

Islamic Populations

Judaism

• According to the Judaist dietary laws of the Old Testament– Cloven footed animals who chew the cud is considered

clean– All fish with fins and scales are considered clean– Insects of the locust family are considered clean– Meat from the Pig and Camel are unclean– All carnivorous birds, sea creatures without fins and

scales, and most insects, rodents, and reptiles are unclean

http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

Judaism• Kashrut is the Jewish law dealing with food, common term

used is Kosher• No Rabbi blessing necessary to be Kosher• Slaughter methods

– Animal must be fully conscious– Meat is then broiled or soaked in salt water to extract remaining

blood– Must be done by a shochet (butcher) who is a holy man trained in

Jewish law

• May not eat animals that die of natural causes or that were killed by other animals

• Animal must have no disease or flaws in the organs at the time of slaughter.

http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

• Under the Old Testament, Christians would be held to the diet of Judaism

• However, in Acts 10:9-15 Peter was praying and became hungry. He fell into a trance and the heavens opened up with something like a large white sheet being let down from the corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. God said, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

Christianity

Christianity

• Peter replied, “Surely not Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

• Christians use this verse to justify eating all animals

Hinduism

• Concentrated in India, the Hindu religion believes that all God’s creatures are deserving of respect and compassion

• Vegetarian diets are encouraged• However, some Hindu believers choose to eat

meat – beef and pork is strictly forbidden!• The Cow is seen as sacred and can neither be

slaughtered or sold for slaughter• Milk from the cow can be consumed

Question?

• Is it possible that some cultures began to view particular animals with high importance due to the service they could provide rather than food?

• Example – were swine deemed unclean because they could consume/get ride of every day wastes? Or was the camel proven to be a better beast of burden that a quick meal?