Processed Meats on the decline

http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=7817&catId=1

What are processed meats?

Well, this encompasses a lot of the meats that along with most people my age, I was eating regularly growing up. When I think of processed meats I think of anything that has to be manipulated and formed. Hot Dogs, Sausages (in some cases), and most lunch meats (Mac and cheese loaf anyone?) are processed meats. These meats have lately come under fire from the World Health Organization as having qualities that contribute to cancer.

The above article is in reference to meat sales on the decline in Israel. They have recently reported a 30% drop in consumption / sales of these processed products. It's not just Israel either. Britian has reported a drop in consumption while the Netherlands are limiting meat consumption AND strongly urging vegetarian / vegan lifestyles. These drops in consumption are both a good and a bad thing.

Here's why. If people are uneducated of the horrors of the meat industry they will likely revert back to eating these products at some point in the future. As the heat wears off from the World Health Organizations report, people will most likely incorporate these things slowly back into their diets without realizing it. I can't count how many times I skipped label reading and likely consumed meat during my beginning phase of being a vegetarian. I also can't count how many times I would drunkenly eat fish after a night out. These things are because I didn't know all I needed to know about the meat industry.

Without further educating the public about this report of the link between process meats and cancer, without continuous promotion of a vegetarian diet, without bombardment of information and the realities of this industry, I don't feel as though it's all for the right reason. It's this crucial time when people are realizing this link to cancer that we should also try and educate them on the horrors of the meat industry. If we catch the masses in this time of reduction, there's a much better chance they will remain away from the processed meats. This could lead into a complete vegetarian / vegan lifestyle.

I am happy to hear about this reduction in consumption so don't get me wrong. I simply feel like passion is what keeps us motivated. I'm passionate about animals , food, and my family, therefore I can remain meat free, entertain this blog regularly, and have a wonderful relationship with my family. That being said, if people are not passionate about why they are reducing their consumption they simply won't stick with it. Being busy does wonders for all the things we try not to do.

What is your opinion? Leave your comments, tweet, or fb me :)

HAPPY VEG