DEAR DR. FOX: I have read in the news that bills restricting cultivated meat are moving forward in Florida and other states, supported by sectors of the federal government. There is mounting opposition to alternative proteins: milk, cheese, eggs, poultry, seafood and meats that are not produced by traditional means. In many instances, opponents call such foods "fake."
Most of the pushback is coming from the meat, fast-food and pharmaceutical industries, all united via the so-called Center for Consumer Freedom. This is a truly hideous, deceptive organization, led by a notorious lobbyist who has advocated for Big Tobacco, fought against Mothers Against Drunk Driving and disparaged animal rights organizations. (Read more about this group here: cnbc.com/2020/02/06/beyond-meat-impossible-foods-face-new-powerful-fake-meat-foe.html.)
CCF's objective now is to misinform consumers about climate change, animal advocacy and alternative protein products, and the group is doing so with the biggest budget it's ever had. In 2020, CCF commissioned a $5 million Super Bowl ad to claim that plant-based protein was unhealthy. This, despite numerous independent studies finding that plant-based protein products are healthier and more sustainable than conventional meat.
While CCF and industry allies attack plant-based foods, Americans continue eating processed foods like chicken nuggets. While a Beyond Burger may not be a healthier alternative to a lentil patty, nobody is eating lentil patties. Americans eat ultra-processed foods every day -- most of which contain at least some meat or dairy. Let us be honest about the "provenance" of our foods.
It’s a tough battle against a well-funded army of liars. What is your opinion? -- P.S., San Francisco
DEAR P.S.: Many readers will appreciate your concerns, which I share. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of farmed animals raised for food if we hope to ever reduce agriculture's contribution to the climate crisis -- and our unhealthy dietary dependence on meat. The connections between high consumption of meat products and health issues such as cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer are well documented.
There are also legitimate concerns about meat from dead, dying and diseased animals in slaughterhouses -- which is condemned for human consumption -- being recycled into pet foods and livestock feed after high-heat processing. Such processing causes the Maillard reaction, which in turn creates various compounds called Maillard reaction products, some of which are harmful -- even carcinogenic. (For details, see the study “Food Processing and Maillard Reaction Products: Effect on Human Health and Nutrition” by Nahid Tamanna and Niaz Mahmood, published in the International Journal of Food Science in 2015.)
There is an ever-increasing preference for instant meals rather than traditional cooking, especially among the younger generations. But highly processed food items are not the best choice for any of us, companion animals included. The air-dried pet foods now on the market are my choice for my own dog.
(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
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