Food is a massive industry & the many key players involved have very different interests. In wealthy nations those interests can range from corporate survival & maintaining profitability in a market with limited demand to promoting a healthy diet & ensuring food safety. For the poor the emphasis is all too often on simply getting enough to eat. As information technology & biotechnology are set to revolutionize the food system it is essential to understand the broad context in which the different actors operate so that all the worlds people can enjoy a safe secure sufficient & sustainable food supply. This text provides an overview of todays dominant food system
- one developed in & controlled by northern industrialized countries & one that is becoming increasingly globalized.