Synopsis
Poisoned is a 2023 Netflix documentary that explores the broken food safety system in the United States. The film follows the stories of families who have been affected by foodborne illnesses, and it exposes the corporate greed and regulatory failures that have allowed these illnesses to continue.
Cast and Director
The film is directed by Erin Lee Carr, who is known for her work on the documentaries “The Keepers” and “Icarus.” The cast includes:
- Stephanie Smith, whose daughter died from E. coli poisoning after eating a hamburger from Jack in the Box in 1993.
- Scott and Candie Smith, Stephanie’s parents.
- Carol Ann Alt, a food safety advocate who lost her son to Listeria poisoning in 2011.
- Bill Marler, a food safety lawyer who has represented thousands of people who have been affected by foodborne illnesses.
Premiere Date
Poisoned premiered on Netflix on August 3, 2023.
Story Plot
The film begins with a montage of politicians and pundits boasting about how the United States has the safest food supply in the world. However, the film quickly shatters this illusion by chronicling a number of deadly foodborne outbreaks that have occurred in recent years.
The film then focuses on the stories of three families who have been affected by these outbreaks. Stephanie Smith’s daughter died from E. coli poisoning after eating a hamburger from Jack in the Box in 1993. Scott and Candie Smith, Stephanie’s parents, have dedicated their lives to fighting for food safety reform ever since.
Carol Ann Alt’s son died from Listeria poisoning after eating a cantaloupe in 2011. Alt has become a food safety advocate and has worked to raise awareness of the dangers of Listeria.
Bill Marler is a food safety lawyer who has represented thousands of people who have been affected by foodborne illnesses. Marler has become a leading voice in the fight for food safety reform.
The film concludes by calling for major changes to the food safety system in the United States. The filmmakers argue that the current system is broken and that it is putting consumers at risk.
Critical Response
Poisoned has received positive reviews from critics. The film has been praised for its powerful storytelling, its investigative journalism, and its call for food safety reform.
The Los Angeles Times called Poisoned “a must-see documentary that exposes the dark side of the American food industry.” The Washington Post said that the film is “a harrowing and eye-opening look at the food we eat and the dangers that lurk within.”
My Review
Poisoned is a powerful and disturbing documentary that exposes the dark side of the American food industry. The film follows the stories of three families who have been affected by foodborne illnesses, and it shows how corporate greed and regulatory failures have put consumers at risk.
The film begins with a montage of politicians and pundits boasting about how the United States has the safest food supply in the world. However, the film quickly shatters this illusion by chronicling a number of deadly foodborne outbreaks that have occurred in recent years.
The film then focuses on the stories of three families who have been affected by these outbreaks. Stephanie Smith’s daughter died from E. coli poisoning after eating a hamburger from Jack in the Box in 1993. Scott and Candie Smith, Stephanie’s parents, have dedicated their lives to fighting for food safety reform ever since.
Carol Ann Alt’s son died from Listeria poisoning after eating a cantaloupe in 2011. Alt has become a food safety advocate and has worked to raise awareness of the dangers of Listeria.
Bill Marler is a food safety lawyer who has represented thousands of people who have been affected by foodborne illnesses. Marler has become a leading voice in the fight for food safety reform.
The film concludes by calling for major changes to the food safety system in the United States. The filmmakers argue that the current system is broken and that it is putting consumers at risk.
Poisoned is a must-see documentary for anyone who cares about food safety. The film is well-made and informative, and it tells the stories of real people who have been affected by foodborne illnesses. The film is also timely, as it comes at a time when there is growing concern about the safety of our food supply.
I highly recommend watching Poisoned. It is an important film that everyone should see.
Here are some additional thoughts on the film:
- The film is very well-made and informative. The filmmakers do a great job of telling the stories of the families who have been affected by foodborne illnesses, and they also provide a lot of information about the food safety system in the United States.
- The film is very disturbing. It is hard to watch the stories of the families who have lost loved ones to foodborne illnesses. However, the film is important because it raises awareness of the dangers of foodborne illnesses and it calls for change.
- The film is timely. It comes at a time when there is growing concern about the safety of our food supply. The film is a wake-up call that we need to demand change from our elected officials.
If you care about food safety, I highly recommend watching Poisoned. It is an important film that everyone should see.
Life Lessons
Poisoned teaches us a number of important life lessons, including:
- The food we eat can be deadly.
- The food safety system in the United States is broken.
- Corporate greed is putting consumers at risk.
- We need to demand change from our elected officials.
Conclusion
Poisoned is a powerful and important documentary that everyone should watch. The film exposes the dark side of the American food industry and it calls for major changes to the food safety system. We need to demand change from our elected officials if we want to protect ourselves from the dangers of foodborne illnesses.