Beef Producers Welcome Recent Study
By Robert Thomas
Break out the burgers and the steaks they are no longer a major threat to your health.
A recent comprehensive study, and accompanying news reports, that the health effects of eating red meat and processed meat does not significantly impact a person developing cancer, diabetes or heart disease is welcome news for the province’s cattle industry.
“It's pretty welcome we were pretty pleased to see this report come out about the benefits of eating beef,” Chad MacPherson general manager of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association told MJ Independent in a telephone interview.
The study concluded, after reviewing observational studies involving millions of participants, there was insignificant evidence the eating of red meat raised the risks of heart disease, caused cancer or diabetes.
The study also took into account people, by being omnivores (eating both plants and animals), enjoyed eating meat – especially men.
“In short, omnivores enjoy eating meat and consider it an essential component of a healthy diet,” the study read.
The latest study directly contradicts the newest Canada Food Guide released in January 2019 which tells Canadians to eat less meat and more plants as they are higher in fibre and less saturated fat in order reduce the risks of cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The Canada Food Guide took two years to develop.
“There has been so much negative news over the last year. It’s good to see a good news story about red meat,” MacPherson said.
Although it is too early to see the effects, if any, news reports have had regarding red meat consumption over the past year the reports can have “a snowball effect.”
He said the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association sees beef consumption as an important part of a person's diet.
Eating that beef roast may not be as bad as the experts say it is, a new comprehensive study says - MJ Independent File Photo
“We believe beef and red meat is part of a healthy diet…this study helps refute the claims its not.”
MacPherson said at the present time protein consumption around the world is increasing with “more diversified diets than ever before.”
He said beef producers are not concerned about the growing trend to eat beef alternatives but are concerned about the misleading marketing tactics large corporations are using to promote their beef alternative products.
A recent meeting with the Saskatchewan Roughriders about a Beyond Meat commercial for A and W was not about being dictatorial but pointing out the “unsubstantiated claims” made by large corporations against beef in order to market their alternative products.
“We have concerns about the marketing some corporations are using to sell their products. They are misrepresenting some of the facts.”
Claims that beef is not as healthy as the alternatives is something corporations are presently using to market their products. Claims which the study helps to debunk, he said.
“I think choice is a good thing. We are happy to compete,” MacPherson said, adding “not all proteins are created equal and we have to educate consumers about the benefits of beef.”
Although the study did not deal with the issues of Climate Change it does need to be noted a recent UN report on the subject said unsustainable meat production contributed to it.
North American beef – due to genetics and production practices – has the smallest ecological footprint in the world.
The data used was global statistics and not North American ones and beef industry critics used the global data to paint the North American and Saskatchewan beef in a negative way, he said.