I think it makes sense for us to care about the steps in our food's processing. When we eat, whatever it is we're putting into our bodies literally becomes part of our bodies. I think we grossly underestimate the degree to which that affects us. Modern culture for many of us has taken away so much of our control over how we meet our basic needs. Knowing what steps went into our food's process gives us back some of that control, or at least gives us the illusion that we are reclaiming some of that control.

At least, that's my theory of the day. ;-)