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Jonathan Safran Foer Reveals Surprising Facts About Our Food

Jonathan Safran Foer talked with Ellen about his experience researching the book "Eating Animals," and discovering some shocking details about our food. Watch now to learn about the state of factory farms and what that means for you.

Jonathan Safran Foer Reveals Surprising Facts About Our Food

Next Story: Watch Jonathan Safran Foer on Ellen's Life Page

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Please tell Jonathon Safron, that Mike Rowe toured a family egg farm in Arizona. From hen to tummy, every measure is take to properly care for the hen and to keep consumers safe.

I can't believe anyone who claims to be animal-friendly opposed this interview or anything Jonathan said. It was very brave of Ellen to host him. Those of you who had a problem with what he said apparently care more about the few friendly farms you have or know than the billions of animals in factory farms and in dire conditions around the world. If you really care about animals, if you really are sick of being lied to by the meat and dairy industries, then wake up and know the priorities. Truth, then practicality. Compassion, then humanity. Because without compassion, we're not people. We're just barbarians.

- Hania Jurdak
Beirut, Lebanon

The book is brilliant and very thoughtful and in fact does not exist to persuade people to give up meat entirely (though he has). It makes a very clear distinction between factory farming and old-school farming, and if any of you had taken two seconds from being mortally offended to read the book or even research it, you'd realize he advocates quite strongly for old-school farming techniques and bemoans the fact that those ways are going to be extinct in the relatively near future. None of you can argue credibly that that kind of farming provides more than a small fraction of this country's meat...it doesn't. And that is the problem.

Anyone offended by someone who wants to be a vegetarian has a chip on their shoulder. His book isn't preachy in the least, unless carefully thinking things over is something you would consider to be preachy.

Great information here Ellen! Thanks for spreading the word. So many people are simply not informed enough on these issues. The more people who are aware of the benefits of a vegan diet and the horrors animals face on factory farms, the easier it is to make an informed decision for themselves. As a vegan of 13 years, it's one of the best decisions I have ever made in every way. It truly clears your mind and soul as well as your entire outlook on life. Not to mention how much healthier your body feels and looks on a vegan diet. I'd encourage everyone to explore their options with an open mind.

Ellen I love your show and support vegan and vegetarians diets for many reasons. But I am so disappointed that you allowed this man to speak on your show. His statements were inaccurate, plain and simple. I cannot believe he was allowed to pass those statements off as facts on your show. Yes we need to change the way we eat... But that man's tactics mislead your viewers and are insulting to all the farmers out there who are doing the right thing.

I will not watch your show again. I'm sorry but that was very irresponsible of your show.

I read a few topics. I respect your work and added blog to favorites.

I've read 1/2 of Johnathon's book and I'm already a vegetarian (because of animal's, not health), so I am already on of the converted. The posters here stating that they are from farms, grew up on farms, etc...did you not hear his last statement where he said, "if you must eat (meat), find a good, humane farm, that doesn't use drugs, etc."

The thing is, we vegetarians don't gain anything from you meat eaters becoming vegetarians, sure we'd like to see less death, but we aren't getting rich off of you not eating that burger -- BUT, the company who is cheaply producing that burger is getting rich off of you. Who should you be more wary of? Try watching the movie "Food, Inc." It's not just about animals, it's about all the food we consume today and how only a few national corporations run it all and they do not have your best interest in mind.

Go ahead, eat those burgers. Get heart disease, get medicine and higher medical bills, but don't believe that these companies are looking our for you, because they aren't.


Jonathan Foer visited my school today, and shared a conversation with a group of students for about.. roughly an hour or an hour and a half.
He is an amazing writer, witty, funny, and such an intellectual man. He did not write this book to make us "convert" into Vegetarianism yet to start a dialogue.

He never said "all farms are factory farms." He was referring to where most of our meat comes from, and yes most of our meat does come from factory farms. Do your research. Just because you live in a farm, grew up in a farm, or have farms- does not mean that McDonalds, BurgerKing, Popeyes and other fast food industries get their meat from you. Do they? No, didnt think so.

He was simply referring to where our meat [most of the meat] comes from.


Get a hold of yourselves! I'm only 18 and understand that Foer is not trying to brainwash anyone, nor is he giving out false information.
Read "Eating Animals" and go on a 3 year quest to find all these answers, then argue it.

Sheesh.

I am not surprised by the negative comments that have been hurled at Jonathan Safran Foer's appearance on your show, Ellen. The exploitation of animals has long been a part of human existence; however, we are in a position, technologically, where we can show some compassion to the other sentient beings that share the Earth with us. Sure, everyone has free will and can make their own decisions, but there has to come a time when intelligent, rational decisions are made. The fervor with which meat eaters justify their positions is unnecessary and, frankly, demoralizing. I thought that the developed people of the world (specifically Americans) would have already started the transition to veganism by now, given the information available to them. Climate change, disease, global hunger, water shortages, and an overall lack of empathy and compassion are all major byproducts of animal exploitation. WE NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY ON ANIMALS FOR SURVIVAL! We are in a position to make this a better world for all its living inhabitants. No matter what your religiious, moral, political, or philisophical views it is not hard to admit to yourself that suffering of any kind is wrong. Using animals for food, research, clothing, and entertainment is not a right we have obtained from our existence on this planet. It is a misguided source of power that is causing more damage than anyone can possibly fathom. Don't reject Jonathan's arguments, or any animal rights arguments, until you have fully researched the topics. If you pursue the truth about animal exploitation with an open heart and a clear mind you will see that what humans are doing is wrong. Plain and simple.

Shocking that your website still headlines his appearance as "Facts". Don't you read your audience's comments?

I must say that I was really dissapointed with your segement with Jonathan Safran Foer. I agree that we all have the right to chose our own diet. If you don't want to eat meat, that is fine with me. My problem with your segement was that Jonathan didn't present facts. He fell into the emotion trap. Instead of persuading with the real facts, he played on the emotions of the audience. If all those things he said were true, there would be not animal production left if the US. Farmers simply can't afford to not take care of their animals.

Sure, I agree there have been documented cases of animal abuse. However saying that every farmer abuses animals is like saying that just because there is still child abuse occuring in the US that all parents are guilty of abusing their children. This simply isn't true!!

In regards to not being allowed to visit a farm, how did he ask? He seemed like he was pretty hostile on the show. No one is going to invite a hostile person on to their farm. To the farmer, his farm is like your house. You wouldn't want to invite the papparrizzi into your house because you don't want to deal with the endless articles about how everything about your life is wrong. Same goes for the farmer!!

Next time, Ellen please make sure your guests have all the facts!

In closing, I would like to say regardless of your diet...IF YOU ENJOYED A MEAL TODAY, THANK A FARMER!!!

What on Earth is wrong with people who are screaming that because someone expressed views that do not align with their own, they are "forcing" them?? Get a grip.

Jonathan stated his stance, as well as shared his knowledge, and truths about animal agriculture. It seems that the people who are most upset are likely just unable to face the truth and how meat is the product of cruelty and suffering, and animal agriculture is devastaing our planet as it is polluting our water, soil and air, as well as causing serious health problems in humans. Heart disease is the number one killer in the US, and meat, dairy and egg consumption are major factors in causing heart disease.

No one is "forcing" anyone. You are simply being informed. You can choose to do whatever you like. People with genuine compassion in their hearts and empathy for others will be the people most likely to make changes and more compassionate choices. They never waste time screaming that someone is "forcing" them to do something that already feels right in their hearts.

Thank you Ellen and Thank you Jonathan. I am sure that there have been more eyes, minds and hearts opened after watching this show. I'm also sure that people who read "Eating Animals" will be certain to make changes---and no one will have had to "force" them to do so.

My husband and I were watching your show on Nov. 4th and were very upset by what the author was saying. Both of us were raised on farms, his father at the age of 90 still lives on the farm but he know has someone else farm the land. We live in a area that is large agricultural area farming, and raising livestock is a common practice. As more and more regulations are put onto small farmers they have no choice but to sell the family property because they can no longer make it work. We have Chicken Farms, Turkey Farms, Pig Farms and Cattle Farms. Most of the Cattle are allowed to go outside and graze this goes for both Beef and Milk. As for turkeys if you wish to go into the woods and hunt your own you only need to go to Southern part of Ohio where it is common. Many of our chickens are being raised cage free, receive only organic feed and they do the scratching as they need. If your author says animals are not allowed to have sex how do we keep having new chicks, new turkeys and baby pigs and baby cows.
It is a shame to me when I see people wanting to treat animals better than our kids are being treated. How many thousands are being abused, not getting enough food to eat and are living in poverty? So if your author wants to see farms come to Ohio we have lots of farms and farmland

This is the first time I have ever seenfactory farming and envirnomental stress covered in main stream media, thank you. Be proud! **Ellen, I am 8 months pregnant and there are 2 very important points I and my husband will address with my son one day - and I really feel they need to be addressed when suggesting people look into vegetarian and vegan eating. #1) It is so easy to be discouraged. if you read about factory farming, inevitably you will also find that ALMOST EVERYTHING you own is produced in a way that hurts people and the environment. You can't do everything! Draw your own lines. If Americans and Canadians even ate half the meat and dairy in a week they usually do, serious pressure would be taken off the environment, and their waist-lines would probably benefit too! And like any new diet, depriving yourself from what you love is bound to end in failure. do what you can, not what you think you have to do. #2) I have read way too many times that being vegan or vegetarian is EXPENSIVE. We are a 2 person low - income family on one salary with a child on the way. Since I began living with my husband 3 years ago, we have maintained a vegan household. it costs us CDN$150 a week in groceries. Fresh veggies and fruit are CHEAP so are grains and tofu. Then we splurge on soy milk, multi vitamins and recycled toilet paper:) Also, there is a balance.It is not about replacing everything you eat with the processed soy equivilant. Soy cheese, burgers, hot dogs etc.. are great once in awhile but its a lifestyle change. Be well informed, expand your eating to include many ethnic foods. You cannot just simply eliminate what you used to eat from your plate. I did at 15 by 18 I was severely anemic(iron deficient). It is about re-configuring your meals completely! you will think about what you put in your mouth more than you ever have if you do choose to be vegetarian. **Also really cool - a book written by a National Geographic journalist called the Blue Zones - about the world's hot-spots where people live to be over 100 the most...interestingly he finds most eat low amounts of meat and what they do it is grown nearby. If you need any good christmas recipes - look us up! Tammy & Mitch Sellar

This is the first time I have ever seenfactory farming and envirnomental stress covered in main stream media, thank you. Be proud!
**Ellen, I am 8 months pregnant and there are 2 very important points I and my husband will address with my son one day - and I really feel they need to be addressed when suggesting people look into vegetarian and vegan eating.

#1) It is so easy to be discouraged. if you read about factory farming, inevitably you will also find that ALMOST EVERYTHING you own is produced in a way that hurts people and the environment.
You can't do everything! Draw your own lines. If Americans and Canadians even ate half the meat and dairy in a week they usually do, serious pressure would be taken off the environment, and their waist-lines would probably benefit too!

And like any new diet, depriving yourself from what you love is bound to end in failure. do what you can, not what you think you have to do.

#2) I have read way too many times that being vegan or vegetarian is EXPENSIVE. We are a 2 person low - income family on one salary with a child on the way. Since I began living with my husband 3 years ago, we have maintained a vegan household. it costs us CDN$150 a week in groceries. Fresh veggies and fruit are CHEAP so are grains and tofu. Then we splurge on soy milk, multi vitamins and recycled toilet paper:)

Also, there is a balance.It is not about replacing everything you eat with the processed soy equivilant. Soy cheese, burgers, hot dogs etc.. are great once in awhile but its a lifestyle change. Be well informed, expand your eating to include many ethnic foods.

You cannot just simply eliminate what you used to eat from your plate. I did at 15 by 18 I was severely anemic(iron deficient). It is about re-configuring your meals completely! you will think about what you put in your mouth more than you ever have if you do choose to be vegetarian.

**Also really cool - a book written by a National Geographic journalist called the Blue Zones - about the world's hot-spots where people live to be over 100 the most...interestingly he finds most eat low amounts of meat and what they do it is grown nearby.

If you need any good christmas recipes - look us up!

Tammy & Mitch Sellar

I live 125 miles south of Chicago. If you want to see farming at its best come to Iroquois county Illinois. There are many family farms that are ran by hard wording farmers and their wives. Everything from beef cattle to dairy farms,sheep farms, egg farms, pig farms and many grains grow here as well. Within a 30 mile stretch there are 2 meat lockers. If you want to see free range chickens, there are many contry roads in the county where a person has to stop to let the chickens cross the road. The guy Ellen had on, has never been outside a city in his life and does not deserve to talk about anything !

Ellen!

I said self! Yes I replied to myself! We are not eating any fast food NO MORE! Even if its just a dollar for your fave burger from the King...Burger King (WHOPPER!...heavy onion please!)

I have not eaten fast food for 2 years now. I used to because it was fast and cheap. ...sorta because I found out that 3 and 1 and 1 are cheap by themselves but add it up and then add the tax and your at 6.50/7.00 for a meal of FAT. Then after watching Supersize Me. ... I just gave it up.

Now I make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and peeled carrots, a whole apple or an orange and some water for lunch everyday. I figure it comes to around 10 dollars a week or less just packing my lunch.

I feel better too!

I'm not there yet....but I do know where to get my protein. Beans are good sources!

I'm bad in that I still eat eggs but after hearing about what cage free really means.... I'm taking a look and thinking we should all just stop eating animals so that they can be ANIMALS!/FREE. Just like we should all just trash our gas/oil cars and drive electric and use man made oil..not the real stuff(i'm tired..whatchacalls it) I have amsoil in my car. Don't want to be a hypacrit but if we didn't make animals available to eat and cars that weren't good for the environment then it would match with what I think would make Earth better... because its sick... like MJ says! btw... like it when he beat box in This Is It! AWESOME!

HEy! I saw finding nemo fish in tank today at a business. I said, "I think they should make a finding nemo II. " They said... "YEAH!!!!They should!"

I don't eat as much meat as I used to..so that's good! RIGHT! ok.. denial I know. but its a start. :)

Thank you for having Jonathan Safran on the show. I have seen footage of truly horrific things done on factory farms and in the slaughterhouses that were so awful I became a vegan.

I have seen some slaughterhouse workers become so desensitized to the killing that goes on around them that they brutalize the animals struggling for life without a hint of concern, in fact, with some relish. We cannot consider the cruelty of these places without also considering what they do to the consciousness of the individuals who work in them day after day.

I absolutely adore your show. But a little hint next time you get an author or someone make sure their facts are real. I'm from a nearly 4000 acre farm with close to 200 head of cattle in Alberta and this appaled me. Cattle are not raised this was, beef cows are raised outside not inside barns. And a little timbit for you, if you want to listen to someone complain about the cattle industry make it factual and maybe think about what the Americans did to us Canadians mostly the Albertans. Your misinformed fears ruined peoples lives for good. They sold their farms because of that mis-information and you cant buy cattle that you've have raised since birth back. so next time make sure the information is right because you have no idea what something like that can do to an industry. Misinformation ruins everythhing from cattle to pork. And one more timbit, H1N1 does not come from pigs, it contains a piece of mutated DNA from a sickness they suffer from but it also contains our own mutated DNA. Gr.12 Biology people, if a 17 year old can realize that that why can't the rest of the world see it that your destroying peoples lives for no reason. Get the information right because you have no idea who's life is being ruined because of those words. That man disgusts me and his book should be boycotted. Visit a real farm not the on located in your bloody excuse for a brain and then people will see what they are really like. Hardworking people trying to stay with the tradition that their family has been apart of for generations.

ellen, the show tonight actually brought me to tears. Not just because i too love animals (friends tease me quite relentlessly about this)but because i grew up a farm girl.
My Dad and brother still farm. Dad is 79 and still works the family farm, feeding and caring for the cattle daily. He would love to leave it to my brother but cannot afford to live without the small income it provides. We know the only way he will be able to leave it :( but he's not going yet! He is the skinny old guy with the pitchfork. He uses that pitchfork more than you know to shake the fresh straw for beds to keep his cattle warm and dry in our cold Calgary winters.
His life is hard, but not his heart. I think he has to work harder now to make a living than he did in the 60's and 70's when he was raising 5 kids.
3 cheers for the family farm!!!


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