Israelis are eating much more meat than before - according to a report by the Knesset's Research and Information Center entitled "Health recommendations regarding meat consumption in Israel and in various countries". According to the report, commissioned by MK Yasmin Friedman (Yesh Atid), the consumption In Israel, the consumption of meat not only did not decrease, but increased by 50%, since the Ministry of Health declared red meat as a suspected carcinogen and processed meat as a carcinogen - about eight years ago.
The main problem is that the other government ministries are not working to reduce the consumption of red meat and are not interested in it.
Instead of reducing meat consumption, the Ministry of Agriculture told the Knesset that "in light of the demand, the Ministry is working on a variety of measures to increase the supply in the market."
In the report, the Ministry of Health attacks this policy: "Increasing the supply of meat in the market is not consistent with the new food spectrum and is contrary to the international goals for sustainable development of the United Nations."
According to the ministry, "one should switch to a diet based mainly on plant foods, combined with smaller amounts of animal foods."
In the report, there are conflicting data regarding the average meat consumption per capita in Israel with large gaps. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2021 the supply of meat per capita was 19.6 kg - the highest in the last seven years.
According to the CBS, the supply of meat per capita in 2020 was 14.9 kg.
These data are very different from the data published by the OECD regarding Israel, according to which the average consumption is 23.2 kg per capita per year, thus ranking Israel in fourth place in the world. However, the Ministry of Agriculture's inspection shows that the figure is based on a double count of the import of live calves both both in production and imports, and intends to contact the OECD with a request to correct the calculation.
"The Ministry of Health must come out with information."
MK Friedman,
MK Yasmin Friedman: "The data that emerges from the study is very worrying and has real health consequences.
I appealed to the chairman of the health committee with a request to hold an urgent discussion on the issue. The Ministry of Health must accept responsibility and issue understandable information to the citizens of the country, so that they understand the connection between meat consumption and health problems."
It is also dangerous for the heart
In 2016-2014, the Ministry of Health conducted a survey in which it examined, among other things, the consumption of meat per capita in Israel.
Then it was found that only 5.3% of the Jews and 1.3% of the Arabs - reported avoiding the consumption of meat and chicken.
In contrast, the social survey on health and lifestyle published by the Central Bureau of Statistics in 2017 reveals that 32.6% of the population aged 20 and over reported that they avoid eating red meat or processed meat.
The document shows the dietary recommendations published by 36 different countries, in which people are suggested to limit the consumption of processed meat and red meat, which are not only linked to cancer - but also to an increase in the risk of death from heart disease, diabetes and other diseases.
MK Friedman: "The Ministry of Health must come out with understandable information to citizens, who will understand the connection between meat consumption and health problems"
The nutritional recommendations of the Ministry of Health in Israel for the general population are not to consume more than 300 grams per week of home-prepared beef in its raw form.
Also, the ministry recommends avoiding the consumption of ultra-processed products, which include processed meat, sausages, sausages, pre-prepared ground meat products, smoked, canned meat and more.
"The consumer's choice"
The Ministry of Agriculture told the Knesset: "The food basket is a choice of the consumer, and the ministry focuses on ensuring the quality and accessibility of all fresh food, including meat."
It was also reported that in recent years there has been an increase in the demand for beef, and that in light of the demand, the ministry is working on a variety of measures to increase the supply in the market, while minimizing as much as possible the suffering of the animals.
Regarding the recommendation to reduce the consumption of red meat, the Ministry of Economy stated: "The Ministry of Economy opposes achieving such goals through import barriers, which will lead to a reduction in supply and an increase in prices."
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