UK Meat intake sees record lows since 1974

Great news for animals and the environment – according to The Guardian and Defra Family Food Survey, 2022 saw UK meat intake dropping to the lowest since 1974 with people eating less processed and carcass meat.

The gradual change in consumer preference seems to be multifactorial – with the cost of living crisis and increased cost of meat, as well as increase in awareness of health, animal welfare and the environment.

The Guardian noted the average amount of meat eaten at home in 2022 was 854g per week, the lowest ever recorded. This compares to 976g per week in 2021, and 949g in 2020. Not only this, but poultry consumption has been noted to have fallen by 11% in the last decade as well.

Not only are people cutting back on buying meat at the supermarket, the amount of meat ordered via takeaways have also been declining. The average amount of meat ordered at takeaways halved to 27g per week per person, compared to a decade ago. Popular fast foods such as kebabs, burgers and pies have seen a noticeable decline. This just goes to show the change in the public’s behavior towards meat consumption with both take-aways and at home cooking.

From a health point of view- the Government (summarized on the Eatwell Guide) now recommends limiting processed meat intake to a maximum of 70g per day, with new guidelines emphasizing a switch from meat to pulses and beans. Scientific studies have highlighted the risks of meat consumption (red and processed meat) linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, as well as some cancers , so our choice in diet can really help to safeguard our health and bodies.

Besides our own health benefits, protecting the environment is a huge reason to cut back on meat. We know that the meat industry accounts for huge contributions of Green House Gas Emissions, deforestation, land degradation, eutrophication of water sources and disruption of habitats.

Both The UK National Food Strategy and The Climate Change Committee have recommended a reduction of meat consumption by 30-35% by 2032. The two groups work with the government with the aim of creating and nurturing healthier, more affordable and sustainable diets whilst safeguarding against climate change.

What’s more, the UK isn’t alone in their efforts to cut down meat. According to Vegconomist, 55% of the German population identify as Flexitarian, with live animal trade hitting an all-time low, and plant based alternatives becoming a more popular food choice.

So, as guardians become more conscious of their health, their pet’s health and the environment, their lifestyle choices are dictating the pet food market. Whilst in 2019, there were only 81 products (Diets and treats) with the Vegan Society’s ‘Vegan Trademark’ in the pet food sector, this has increased to an amazing 209 products by 2022. The demand for a more plant based lifestyle for our pets is forecast to remain, as the Future Markets Insight predict the plant based pet food market to double in a decade from now.

Here at Omni, we want to help you cut down your dog’s meat intake - be it going fully plant powered or flexitarian. Many of the risks and consequences of eating meat (processed or otherwise) that apply to us and our planet, also apply to our 4 legged best friends. We’re proud that our delicious, fully plant based and nutritionally complete dog food uses only high quality ingredients and is sustainably and ethically sourced- so we can all do our bit.

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FAQs

But aren’t dog’s carnivores?

Dogs are in fact nutritional omnivores as demonstrated by a robust scientific study published in the reputable journal Nature (1,2) in which it was shown that they have 30 copies of the AMY2B gene responsible for digesting plant-based foods.

They have also evolved relatively long intestines (21) (almost as long as humans) and relatively flat surfaces on their molars (31, 22) which they use for digesting and chewing a whole range of foods.

The common misconception that dogs are carnivores probably arises from the fact that they are classified in the order Carnivora but so are plenty of other species like bears, skunks, racoons who are omnivores and even the giant panda who thrives on a plant-based diet (20).

Is plant protein digestible to dogs?

Absolutely yes, studies which have looked at how much protein dogs can absorb from plant-based and fungi-based foods like soya and yeast demonstrated over 75% digestibility which is on par with meat-based foods (23, 24, 34, 35 & 25).

Both these protein sources also contain all 10 essential amino acids (36, 37) that dogs need to thrive.

Isn't there too much fibre in plant-based food?

The average amount of fibre in a commercial dog food diet is between 2-4%. omni’s plant-powered recipe has a fibre content of 3% which is on par with meat- based diets.

In our survey with over 200 dog owners, 100% reported that their dog’s stool consistency was either ‘normal’ or ‘perfect’ and there were no reports of any digestive upsets (data on file).

Can I mix omni with other meat-based diets?

We are proud that our recipes are nutritionally complete and so include everything your dog needs to thrive. This means omni can be fed as a sole ration. We also fully support a 'flexitarian approach' like meat free lunches or using omni as a mixer.

Every little helps to bring some of the health and environmental benefits of plant-power to meal times. Mixing omni with meat/fish will help to add variety into your dog’s diet whilst adding in healthy ingredients with a relatively low carbon footprint.

Can plant-based food provide the essential fatty acids dogs need?

All the essential fats and oils that dogs need, including omegas 3 and 6 are found in a variety of both meat and plant-based foods (31, 28).

omni’s recipe is rich in plant-based sources of these nutrients so your dog will get all the essentials they need.

I hear a lot about feeding raw meat, isn’t that better?

Feeding raw meat to dogs has become a very popular trend in recent years, but most vets will warn against this practise. This is because the cooking process is vital to help kill off dangerous bacteria like E coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter (9) that have necessitated several food recalls from the market and caused serious illness and even death in both dogs and their owners (40, 41, & 42).

There are also several worms and parasites that are only killed off when raw meat is cooked. Dogs are dogs, not wolves and thanks to their domestication over thousands of years, thankfully don’t need to hunt to get their grub nor do they need to eat raw meat, it's just not worth the risk.

References

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