If anyone proclaims food to be a trivial pursuit, or says it’s frivolous to spend more money on it than absolutely necessary, direct them to this documentary series, which lifts the lid on the industrial practices behind commoditised foods. The first part in the six-episode season kicks off with honey, particularly relevant to us given New Zealand’s lucrative mānuka honey trade, and while the series focuses on the United States, each episode has worldwide relevance. Made by production company Zero Point Zero, which was also behind Anthony Bourdain’s recent Wasted! The Story Behind Food Waste, the series continues with five more episodes focused on peanuts, garlic, poultry, milk and the cod industry. What sets Rotten apart is a strong journalistic focus as it delves into scandal, crimes and the wheeling and dealing that goes on in the industry.