Sustainable meat consumption. What makes it so important.

Sustainability Health Meat Sustainable meat consumption means that animals are reared in an environmentally friendly way and that their welfare and health are taken into account. You are what you eat. And even more important to understand is the following sentence:

You are what has eaten, what you have eaten.

Why is sustainable meat important to our health?

• No harmful chemicals and antibiotics

• Difference in quality

• Nutrient content

Due to the higher quality of sustainable fish, the value of good omega-3 fatty acids is higher. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, while poor fish quality and the use of poor quality feed increase the levels of bad omega-6 fatty acids. Bad omega-6 fatty acids, in turn, cause inflammation in the body and lead to far-reaching problems. Good quality fish with good fats has a particularly positive effect on the cardiovascular system and the brain. This reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Certifications provide information on compliance with certain framework conditions. There are also various certifications for meat. These can usually be seen on the packaging in the supermarket and are easy to spot if you know what to look for. This is the easiest way to find out if a meat product is sustainable.

We will take a look at one certification within Europe.

EU-Bio-Label

A sign we all know from the supermarket. This little green leaf is the European Union's official quality label for organic farming and food. All products that carry the logo have been produced in accordance with EU organic regulations.

What does it mean to see this logo on our packaging?

Sustainable farming

• No genetically modified organisms

• Biodiversity and soil health are promoted

• No use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers

Higher quality

Animals have more space, are not given preventative antibiotics and are fed organic feed appropriate to their species. Other foods of a high quality, such as vegetables, do not contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Their production is also subject to strict controls and more careful processing.

Appropriate organic feed

The benefits are clear. No unnecessary chemicals for people, animals and the environment. Higher quality food and generally less impact on the environment, which means sustainability.

Info: Just because there is an organic label on the packaging does not mean the product is local. It can also come from the EU or other third countries.

In addition to these labels, there are other labels that stand for sustainability and make it easy for consumers to understand that sustainable practices have been used.

Tips for sustainable meat consumption

Quality Over Quantity

Instead of eating cheap, mass-produced meat every day, we should make sure we eat better quality meat, even if it means limiting our consumption. This means:

Choose organic meat. Organic farms have higher animal well-being standards, such as more space, outdoor access and natural feed.

Pasture instead of factory farming. Animals raised on pasture have a better quality of life and are less harmful to the environment than animals raised on intensive factory farms.

No antibiotics. Sustainable animal husbandry avoids the overuse of antibiotics, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Consider the consequences

Animals need feed, and feed crops need space to grow, which takes up a lot of agricultural land. Low-quality food is produced with chemicals that are harmful to animals and the environment. Wild meat and pasture-raised animals are clearly preferable. You can make your meat consumption more sustainable by eating local products:

-Locally produced meat produces less CO2 emissions than imported meat due to shorter transport distances.

-Buying meat directly from a butcher or farm shop supports sustainable agriculture and fair working conditions by supporting local farmers.

Look for environmentally friendly production methods

Sustainable feed: Meat from farms that use local feed instead of soy from rainforest is better for the environment.

Lower CO₂ emissions: Beef has a higher carbon footprint than other meats. Chicken, venison or lamb can add variety to the diet while promoting sustainability.

Food waste can also be reduced through your consumption.

Sustainable meat consumption also means using the whole animal and not just buying the best fat-free fillets, but also the offal or bones. After all, fat is a flavour enhancer. In good, sustainable meat from well-behaved animals, fat is not harmful, as is generally believed, but to some extent beneficial.

Creatively preparing meat products from less popular cuts of meat, such as the bone, can also give you great new recipes to try and add variety to your diet.

Sustainable meat consumption means eating better, higher quality meat - with a focus on animal welfare, regional sourcing, resource-efficient production and conscious consumption. It protects the environment, improves animal welfare and improves your own health.