UN Experts Encourage Meat, Eggs, And Dairy To Access ‘Crucial’ Nutrients

A new report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights the essential nutrients provided by meat, eggs, and dairy that are harder to obtain from plants. The report, compiled at the request of the FAO’s Committee on Agriculture, supports a pro-livestock food system agenda and emphasizes the crucial role of animal-derived foods in providing necessary nutrients for human health. However, the report also mentions that meat and dairy should be consumed in a healthy way and are not the only way to achieve a nutritionally balanced lifestyle.

Contrary to the EU's pro-plant-based stance, the FAO report downplays the link between red meat and chronic diseases, stating that moderate consumption of unprocessed red meat is considered safe. In contrast, the European Parliament advocates for reduced meat consumption due to increased cancer risk, while promoting the positive health and sustainability impacts of plant-based diets. This differing viewpoint has led to an increase in vegan food consumption in the EU, while meat and dairy sales are reported to have stalled.