Beef association at odds with research report

PHOTO BY GABE WOLF Cattle auctions, such as this one in Lampasas, bring buyers out in full force for the weekly sales. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association and similar organizations tout the importance of lean beef to Americans' diets.

A new report issued by the American Institute for Cancer and the World Cancer Research Fund that links red meat and processed meats to increased rates of cancer has been blasted by the meat industry.

The report said the link between red meat and colorectal cancer is stronger than ever, and suggested people should not eat more than 500 grams (17.6 ounces) of cooked meat a week.

"WCRF's conclusions are extreme, unfounded and out of step with dietary guidelines," said American Meat Institute Foundation Vice President of Scientific Affairs Randy Huffman, Ph.D.

"Headlines associated with this report may give consumers another case of nutrition whiplash. The consistent finding in diet and cancer research is inconsistency, said Huffman.

Mary K. Young, vice president for nutrition for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, agreed.

"At a time when Americans are overfed and undernourished, the report's recommendations are especially disturbing as they are based on weak and inconsistent data," said Ms. Young.

"Lean beef can be an important part of the solution to the nation's weight problem because the protein in lean beef helps control appetite and build muscle mass, which is essential to maintaining a healthy weight."

Ms. Young said dietary guidelines for Americans, as well as longstanding recommendations from leading health organizations, continue to recommend lean, nutrientrich meat as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid recommend adults eat 5.5 ounces of lean protein each day.

On average, Americans are consuming 2.3 ounces of red meat each day, which Ms. Young said is well within the guidelines.