How fast is society’s meat consumption evolving?

An Australian survey has revealed that although attitudes towards meat are changing, it could still be a long time before we ditch hamburgers for plant-based alternatives.

Carried out by food marketing expert Ellen Goddard at the University of Alberta, Canada, along with researchers from the University of Adelaide, Australia, the survey asked a nationally-representative sample of 287 Australian meat-eaters about their levels of willingness to make changes to their protein consumption.


In particular, participants were asked how willing they would be to reduce their meat consumption, to follow a meat-free diet most of the time, to avoid meat altogether, or to follow a strict plant-based with no animal products at all.

The findings, published in the journal Appetite, showed that participants had “varying levels of willingness to make changes to their protein consumption.”

More specifically, nearly half of those surveyed (46%) were unwilling to make changes to how much meat they eat, while 22% said they would be willing to reduce their meat consumption, but not go meat-free most of the time.

Only 15% said they would be willing to go meat-free, and the remaining 17% were undecided.


The findings come as plant-based protein alternatives like Beyond Meat hamburgers are surging in popularity, and popping up on the menus of big-name restaurants and fast food outlets. However, despite many people reducing their meat intake to benefit their health and the environment, the findings suggest that changing meat-eating habits could be a longer and slower process than first thought.


“The new products are not being developed for vegans or vegetarians, they are already convinced,” Goddard explained. “The products are important to encourage the rest of us to try, and perhaps like meat-free meals.”

“One of the things we found in our study was that committed meat-eaters often considered food choices in vegetarian or vegan diets to be inadequate and unpalatable, so these products might help change that perception.”

Goddard noted that the results, plus unpublished data that she has from a Canadian survey which shows similar findings, suggest that it could take years before the majority of us change our attitudes to meat.

Sven Anders, a University of Alberta food economist who was not involved in the study, commented that he is unsurprised by the findings.

“There is a very large body of economic and social science research that shows food choices are driven by habits established over our lifetime,” he explained. “What a person ate growing up will be one of the biggest determinants of an adult’s diet, and changing these habits takes time.” HM/NVG

source: technology.inquirer.net

Eating vegetables, fish during pregnancy may help reduce risk of high blood pressure

New European research has found that eating a diet rich in vegetables and fish during pregnancy could help lower the risk of developing high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.

Carried out by researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Bristol, the new large-scale study looked at 55,138 women who took part in the Danish National Birth Cohort.


The women were asked to complete several telephone interviews, including two during pregnancy at 12 and 30 weeks and two interviews at six and 18 months after birth. They also completed a questionnaire on their dietary habits at week 25 of their pregnancy.

The findings, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics, showed that eating a diet rich in vegetables and fish appeared to reduce the risk of developing gestational hypertension by 14 percent and pre-eclampsia by 21 percent.

On the other hand, following a Western diet, which is high in potatoes, meat, white bread and margarine, increased the risk of developing gestational hypertension by 18 percent and pre-eclampsia by 40 percent.

On average, women with high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia also had a higher body mass index (1.6-2.3 kg/m2 higher) than those without the conditions.

While the researchers point out that the study only shows an association between diet and the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy, rather than a causal relationship, they add that the results do add to an existing body of evidence that supports following a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Author of the study Ms. Emmanuella Ikem also added that, “Our findings support the importance of eating a healthy and well-balanced diet in vegetables and fish and cutting out processed foods where possible. This will help to reduce a woman’s risk of developing high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.”

“Current advice recommends eating at least five portions of different fruit and vegetables every day, instead of foods high in fat. And generally it is safe to consume fish during pregnancy, no more than two portions of oily fish, such as mackerel or salmon, a week, and no more than two fresh tuna steaks or four medium-sized cans of tuna a week. Women should avoid eating shark, swordfish or marlin.”

According to previous research, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects around 1 in 10 pregnancies. Pre-eclampsia, a condition related to high blood pressure which can cause serious complications for mother and baby, affects 2 to 8 in every 100 women and develops from around 20 weeks of gestation. JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Mad cow disease found in California

WASHINGTON — Top beef exporter the United States revealed Tuesday it had discovered a case of mad cow disease in California, prompting a scramble to reassure consumers at home and abroad.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the country’s fourth-ever case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), but stressed the outbreak was contained and no meat has entered the food chain.

The infected dairy cow from central California was uncovered on Monday but “at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health,” officials insisted.

BSE cannot be transmitted through milk.

“USDA remains confident in the health of the national herd and the safety of beef and dairy products. As the epidemiological investigation progresses, USDA will continue to communicate findings in a timely and transparent manner.”

Samples from infected animal were sent to a laboratory in Ames, Iowa, where they proved positive for a rare form of the disease. The results are now being shared with labs in Britain and Canada.

The admission of even a limited outbreak is highly sensitive.

Previous cases of mad cow in the United States, Canada, Israel, Europe and Japan have caused disruptions to the global food trade worth billions of dollars.

A stream of sanctions and restrictions were introduced and in some cases and entire herds of cattle had to be slaughtered, destroying the livelihoods of many farmers.

Wary U.S. beef producers were also keen to prevent a panic.

“The most important message is that U.S. beef is safe,” said Philip Seng, U.S. Meat Export Federation.

According to the organization, beef exports are worth more than $353 million to the United States each month, with Mexico, Canada, South Korea and Japan among the main export markets.

The United States has an estimated 90.8 million head of cattle, forming a large chunk of the economy in states like Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and California.

Around 40,000 US cattle are tested by the Department of Agriculture each year.

On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the price of cattle futures fell on rumors of the news.

More than 190,000 cases of mad cow disease have been detected in the EU since it was first diagnosed in Britain in 1986, forcing the destruction of millions of cows.

More than 200 people around the world are suspected to have died, most of them in Britain, from the human variant of the disease, which was first described in 1996.

Scientists believe the disease was caused by using infected parts of cattle to make feed for other cattle.

Authorities believe eating meat from infected animals can trigger the human variant of the fatal brain-wasting disease.

source: japantoday.com