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The Taoiseach says he's eating less red meat to stay healthy - but is it healthier to do that?

“Some people say that meat is the new tobacco, and that’s absolutely not true,” says Dr Robert O’Connor of the Irish Cancer Society.

THE TAOISEACH’S COMMENTS to his parliamentary party in January this year where he said he was eating less red meat for the environment kicked up a flurry of meat-eating stances.

Irish farmers in particular were incensed over the remarks; Varadkar had already been seen as out of touch with rural farmers’ concerns – now he’s seen as making a personal decision against their livelihoods. 

Rural TDs quizzed Varadkar about his comments in his Dáil appearance the next day, where he was asked to explain his comments: “I said that I was trying to eat less red meat, not giving it up – I had a very nice Hereford steak last night.”

I was trying to eat less red meat for two reasons – one health, the other climate change. And it’s not flippant, it is a fact that red meat increases instances of cancer, and also contributes more to climate change. But I can reassure Deputies that I’ve not become a vegan or anything like that.

In the months that followed, during a farmers’ protest about the measures taken to protect farmers with the threat of a no-deal Brexit looming large, one fervent activist shouted: “Where’s the beef, ya vegan?!”

The level of disappointment from the representative groups was the strongest.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association’s Patrick Kent wrote to the Taoiseach to say that his comments were “reckless in the extreme”, and called on him to clarify that he wasn’t suggesting people eat less sustainably produced Irish beef and lamb.

“As one of the most important beef exporters in the northern hemisphere, it is very unfortunate indeed that our Taoiseach should be calling into question the sustainability of Irish beef production.”

But many more wrote to the Taoiseach in the aftermath of his comments to show their support, as correspondence released under a Freedom of Information request show:

“Well done for announcing that you are cutting down on red meat… A hearty congratulations, you are setting an excellent example for the Irish people. Red meat is known as a probable cause of cancer and so this is an excellent step towards health.”

Well done for announcing that you have cut down on red meat, this is a great example to set. As you know, red meat is a cause of cancer, so that will help everyone… as well as climate change of course.

“I am not a Fine Gael supporter but I would like to commend your recent comments relating to climate change, meat and health,” an environmental scientist wrote. “Climate change represents a far greater challenge than Brexit (while I appreciate the immediate threat it poses) and if we fail to act now to adapt and mitigate climate change impacts, our society will be drastically changed.”

Does eating red meat give you cancer?

But in that batch of correspondence, one person wrote: “While I agree that sugar consumption and processed foods should be reduced. 

A well-balanced diet should include protein foods like quality meat, dairy and eggs. If anything, we can make a difference with replacing some beef systems with rabbit production…

“I hope our government defends all that is good about our irish foods, while supporting new farming systems.”

So – does eating less red meat reduce your risk of cancer? It’s a lot more complicated than it first seems.

“There’s a lot of misinformation on both sides of that argument,” says Dr Robert O’Connor of the Irish Cancer Society.

Where we see the most challenge is where people form very fixed beliefs on these things – like, ‘Because I don’t eat meat I won’t get cancer,’ that’s absolutely not true. Some people say that meat is the new tobacco, and that’s absolutely not true either.

“For processed meats, eating large amounts result in a small increase in getting certain types of cancer, in particular bowel cancer. The research is reasonably black-and-white around that as much as it can be.”

shutterstock_1098175979 Shutterstock / Susan Schmitz Shutterstock / Susan Schmitz / Susan Schmitz

He says that the combination of the type of treatment that’s done to make bacon, sausages, pudding, and salamis, includes a chemical, salting, or drying process that reduces the risk of bacteria growing.

Some of these processes and chemicals may interact with different processes in our body, and in turn, may result in a slight mutation in the bowel.

But the actual risk from it, the chance of it giving you cancer is proportionally small. When studies looked at around 10,000 people eating red and processed meat over their lifetime, around 40 of them were diagnosed with bowel cancer, and if they eat a lot more of it, it results in an extra 8 cases of bowel cancer for those 10,000 people.

O’Connor says that many daily activities carry a certain amount of risk with them – driving your car or cycling your bike could be riskier on that macro-scientific level than walking. But many people choose to do it, because the chances of their health being affected solely because of that is relatively small.

There are lots of things we can do to impact our risk of cancer – we can reduce our sun exposure, or stop smoking and drinking, which has a much bigger impact on our cancer risk. But it’s up to you then as to what you want to do. Everything has a risk.

The figures could also be correlation rather than causation: if people are eating a lot of red meat, it may mean they’re not doing as much of other things like exercising. 

And while studies on those who eat fish would be indicate that it’s a slightly protected food, those who mostly eat fish would be more engaged in other healthy lifestyle activities, says O’Connor.

Part of the reason that there’s some confusion around red meat and it’s links to cancer, is to do with the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s classifications on what is carcinogenic, what isn’t and what they’re unsure of. 

red meat IARC IARC

Processed meats are classed as carcinogenic, in Category 1 – the same one as smoking.

Red meat is in Category 2 – a confusing catch-all jumble of activities where scientists can’t rule out one way or another whether it’s carcinogenic or not. Night shift work is also in this category.

Category 3 is items for which there is no scientific evidence that prove these activities cause cancer; this classification system is based on evidence, and not on the level of risk each activity poses to an individual, which makes it confusing for the layperson to decide what they should be avoiding and what is just scientific knowledge. 

This has lead to headlines like: “Processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes – WHO.” Although technically correct, it’s misleading to say processed meats threaten the same risk of cancer as cigarettes.

“To not smoke for any great length of time or to give up smoking, or stopping smoking at any stage results in obvious health benefits, O’Connor says emphatically. “People who live the longest throughout the world, almost all of them do not smoke.”

Alcohol consumption is also associated with 8 different types of cancer, and drinking in moderation has shown to reduce the risk of cancer.

O’Connor says that because meat was expensive, it formed a less central role in the Irish family’s diet than it does now, when all food is cheaper. So people should think more critically about what’s in their diet and on trying to make it as varied as possible, he says.

“When we get older we need more nutrients: different stages of life bring so many different stages of health – red meat is a good opportunity to get iron into the diet, especially for those with diseases like anemia and so on,” O’Connor says.

So was it a good message for Varadkar to give to citizens, after all?

“Yes, the evidence does support what he is doing in terms of there’s a small chance it will reduce a risk of cancer,” he says, but it’s the other activities that are more important.

I don’t think he smokes and I’ve seen him exercise, and he’s not anaemic, so he’s relatively fit already. We’re not saying give up meat, but they might consider how much meat is in their diet; consider the amount of vegetables; have fish every now and again and not have meat with every meal, but the chances of it having an effect is proportionally small.

The EU has a 12-step code to reducing your risk of getting cancer, which is a much more black-and-white things of what people can do, he says.

“It’s like betting on a racing horse – there’s no guarantee you’ll win, but there are certain things you can look at – if your horse is overweight, it’s going to reduce its chances. But if it’s a healthy weight, it doesn’t mean it isn’t going to win.”

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    Mute Means of escape
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:12 AM

    Chris Martin was asked what he was going to do when his divorce from Gwenyth Paltrow came through

    “Have a burger ” was his reply

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    Mute John R
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    Jul 29th 2019, 6:48 AM

    The science shows little or no connection between red meat consumption and cancer. Processed meat does carry a relatively tiny risk. I think the key issue is a balanced diet and exercise. Modern humans in industrialised societies tend to be poor at both of these. In addition most humans in industrialised societies suffer from a sleep deficit and the science shows that this is very damaging for health. Reducing good health or saving the environment to issues like how much red meat one consumes is an exercise in stupidity and virtue signalling at its worst.

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    Mute Jon Mackey
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:03 AM

    @John R: what science are you referring to John? There is indeed actual research that shows a direct link to reoccurring cancer cells that appear after therapy and animal proteins. Dr John Kelly wrote about it in his book, Stop Feeding your Cancer. A good read.

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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:47 AM

    @John R: with regard to the environmental impact, reducing meat consumption is most certainly not virtue signaling! Please keep to the science.

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    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:58 AM

    @John R I am taking it your a part time scientist, because other than you I’ve never read that anywhere.

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    Mute Shane
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    Jul 29th 2019, 8:05 AM

    @John R: I’m betting your a farmer or connected to the meat or food production business. It is in black and white scientific evidence to prove your comment as bull S h 1 t

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    Mute John R
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    Jul 29th 2019, 8:47 AM

    @John R: Read the article. The above article states that there is a minor link with cancer and processed foods but that the causality is not proven. There is no proven causality with red meat consumption and there is no science demonstrating that there is. None. Originally red meat was heavily linked to cholesterol and everyone was encouraged to go low fat. We were also told to stop eating butter. Fat was bad. It was junk science and the focus on low fat led to a massive rise in obesity and an over focus on carbohydrates including simple carbohydrates.

    If people think that cutting down red meat consumption is going to reduce cancer and save the planet then off you go. The point I was making was about the need for a balanced diet combined with exercise. Fadism won’t achieve this.

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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Jul 29th 2019, 8:52 AM

    @John R: yes a reduction in animal production will have multiple environmental benefits.

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    Mute Leadóg
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:12 AM

    If I didn’t eat meat, red or white, I’d starve. Sausages, rashers, chicken, chops, steak. They’re all num, num, num.

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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Jul 29th 2019, 10:49 AM

    @Leadóg: Don’t say that—–You’re offending the militant veggies!! If you don’t eat meat then you’ve a God given right to bawl at the people who do!

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    Mute Matthew Handibode
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    Jul 29th 2019, 11:02 AM

    @John Mc Donagh: Obviously didn’t read the article with all the farmers and culchy td’s using the term “vegan” as an insult. “militant veggies” give me a break

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    Mute Niallers
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:11 AM

    I’ll stick with the W.H.O. advice thanks very much.

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    Mute Gerry Hannan
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:14 AM

    If people eat less meat there will be less cows farting a hole in the ozone layer. It’s a win win for everybody.

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    Mute 5hbeZh0I
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:37 AM

    @Gerry Hannan: and people will be farting more from all the beans

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    Mute John R
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    Jul 29th 2019, 9:36 AM

    @Gerry Hannan: You’d never think that there used to be enormous herds of animals roaming the earth not too long ago. Bison are one species that spring to mind. And yet the earth thrived. I wonder why people tend to believe so easily that getting rid of large animals is one of the solutions to climate change? Methane, while a potent greenhouse gas, last about 12 years in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide lasts for thousands of years. Large roaming ruminant animals have evolved over a long period of time. They have a function in the ecosystem and their activities are important.

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    Mute Dave Connolly
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    Jul 29th 2019, 9:53 AM

    @John R: what utter nonesence are you talking. Very different a herd of wild animals and intensive farming. Back to the IFA and protest for more grants with you.

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    Mute john doe
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    Jul 29th 2019, 1:53 PM

    @John R: a far bigger issue than cow farts is the carbon footprint on production of feed for animals. Granted it’s not as bad in Ireland as elsewhere due to grass fed beef. But the amount of feed required to feed cattle would feed 7 times as many people.

    Plus eating too much red meat is not good for the digestive system.

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    Mute SJF
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:29 AM

    My lack of respect for and loathing of Varadakar as a politician knows no bounds but even I disagree with this scrutiny of his diet and the demonization of the man for cutting back on meat.
    His diet is entirely his business, he’s not claiming that a vegetarian diet cures cancer.
    This article whilsy it does have accurate information comes across as ensationalist nonsense due to some bizzare sweeping statements: consumption of red meat in particular processed meat *does* increase one’s relative risk of cancer. The overall risk is still quite low and other lifestyle factors contribute more but it’s not untrue that reducing red meat intake could theoretically reduce risk.
    Furthermore the claim that people believe if they don’t eat meat “they won’t get cancer” is such a ridiculous statement that I can’t believe someone was actually quoted saying that (I refuse to believe “most people” or even “many people” believe that)
    A healthy, balanced diet be it vegan, vegetarian or omnivorous is going to have benefits and the idea that humans need huge amounts of meat is a myth, the average person (ie not an Olympic athlete) needs about 20-40g of animal protein to fulfill their daily dietary requirements- so about half a skinless chicken breast- despite what people seem to claim homo sapiens evolved on a hunter gatherer diet which was primarily plants, fruit, berries, nuts and comparably small amounts of meat -we’re not big cats-
    Also on a final note rabbit is a horrific alternative, look up “protein poisoning” for anyone interested, in general it requires more vitamins to consume rabbit than one will get from it to the point that US military guidelines recommend abstaining from eating altogether if rabbit is the only available food source.

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    Mute Stephen
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    Jul 29th 2019, 8:37 AM

    @SJF: If his diet is his business then he shouldn’t have stood in the dàil and pontificate on public record about his diet. He shouldn’t have participated in a prime slot TV programme about loosing weight. His is a walking ego, and if he was an ice cream he’d like himself.

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    Mute Roz K | Irish Nomads
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    Jul 29th 2019, 9:12 AM

    You don’t address the climate change aspect of beef production anywhere in this article. Varadkar first made that comment when asked what he’s doing to combat climate change. The comment about his dual reasons for eating less meat (health + climate change) came later. Beef production is a huge factor affecting the environment but most studies reference US beef farming methods (cattle are fed with water-intensive alfalfa). I’d be interested to see an article on the environmental impact of Irish beef production; things like grass- vs. grain-fed cattle, the environmental benefits of purchasing locally produced meat, whether the impact would be less if we ate less meat but chose organic/grass-fed. To me, the Taoiseach’s comment about health was secondary and you’re missing the point here.

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    Mute Karllye kripton
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:04 AM

    More BS form Leo ,ps we care about how the country is run , NOT your F***** Diet

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    Mute Chris Davy
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    Jul 29th 2019, 10:28 AM

    You don’t need Science to prove that eating Meat and Dairy is certainly bad for the animals. There is no nutrition that we can’t get from better plant sources. So why hurt them when you don’t have too?

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Jul 29th 2019, 1:03 PM

    @Chris Davy: Because some people like to eat meat and others don’t.

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    Mute Nigel Mcatamney
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    Jul 29th 2019, 9:38 AM

    So Leo prefers a bit of Vegan Sausage….

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    Mute Johnny Conway
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    Jul 29th 2019, 9:06 AM

    Another diversion from his failures. First all about his socks now his diet

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    Mute pete
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    Jul 29th 2019, 11:02 AM

    Moving to a plant based diet is of great importance for many health benefits… unfortunately there is misinformation regarding what is good and what is bad… Meat companies and farming have a massive lobby influencing government polices permeating all levels of society… from television adds, programs! Then education… similar to fossil fuels and drug companies its massive multi billion euro enterprise… that does not take kindly to any evidence that is contrary to their propoganda machine… But if one researches into the area properly you will find many people have healed their bodies through plant based diet… i.e. juicing, fresh fruits, herbal medicine that is natural, chemical free and inline with our biology..

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    Mute Thomas Troy
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    Jul 29th 2019, 11:41 AM

    Most of these people who refuse to eat red meat for environmental reasons think nothing of boarding a Boeing 777 to fly to some far off place on their holidays every year, these planes when fully fueled carry about 48,000 US gallons of fuel enough to fuel at least 100 family cars for a year yet they fail to see the irony in this. Time to get their priorities right I think.

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    Mute Sal Paradise
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    Jul 29th 2019, 1:56 PM

    @Thomas Troy: So all or nothing? Interesting!!

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    Mute Thomas Troy
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    Jul 29th 2019, 3:27 PM

    @Sal Paradise:
    Its not a question of all or nothing but let’s get our priorities right here, cattle have been around and man has eaten red meat for thousands of years without having to worry about climate change, why all of a sudden have they become the problem ?

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    Mute SJF
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    Jul 29th 2019, 3:55 PM

    @Thomas Troy: thousands of years ago the planet didn’t have to sustain 6billion people

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    Mute Mark Fields
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    Jul 29th 2019, 7:28 AM

    Today when a politician makes a comment such as the the one Varadkar made, he should expect it to be decisive. Even if he said he doesn’t want to eat broccoli because he disliked it, he can expect a a backlash.

    Suppose he suggested all of Ireland should go on a diet of potatoes only?

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    Mute Henry Gaynor
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    Jul 29th 2019, 11:08 AM

    If we all go vegan, we’ll be swapping intensive beef and dairy production for intensive tillage farming. People will then be complaining about all the emissions from farm machinery.

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    Mute Dansabadman Fitzgerald
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    Jul 29th 2019, 1:32 PM

    This article has too much emphasis on the individual health benefits of eating less red meat, when the climate change aspect is by far the most important bit.

    Cattle farming is one of the biggest contributers to climate change, as cows fart methane gas thats known to be 5 times as bad a pollutant as Co2. Were also producing cattle at anexponential rate, with America now consuming the same amount of meat in a single day, than it did in an entire year, 100 years ago.

    All the while, cattle farm land takes up a serious amount of space (were running out of it) causing us to cut down more forests to make room for it when we desperately need more trees and forestry.

    And even more still, the amount of water it takes to grow a cow from calf to butchers is massive.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jul 31st 2019, 12:44 AM

    @Dansabadman Fitzgerald: We don’t do American superfarms here. Brazil is cutting down forests to mine currently valuable metals, not to export beef.

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    Mute Anastasia
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    Jul 29th 2019, 11:09 AM

    Some of us can’t afford red meat

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    Mute The Gerry
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    Jul 29th 2019, 8:39 AM

    He’ll be sharing Instagram pics of his shite next!

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    Mute Kieran Feely
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    Jul 29th 2019, 5:38 PM

    You won’t find finer food than Irish beef and lamb. They should be looking at what’s on the supermarket shelves.

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    Mute Martin Brennan
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    Jul 29th 2019, 12:09 PM

    Bet you Boris eats his Burgers

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    Mute CSR
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    Jul 29th 2019, 2:40 PM

    What is with all these extreme comments?? Obviously cutting back on red meat is likely good for you, same as everything in moderation is better than copious amounts of any one source of protein. I would hate to be vegan but I would equally not want to have sausages, steak or burgers on a daily basis. Wouldn’t have thought I’m unusual!

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    Mute Anastasia
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    Jul 29th 2019, 11:09 AM

    Some of us can’t afford red bed

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    Mute Emilian Patrascu
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    Jul 31st 2019, 11:16 AM

    So is there a possibilty to see warning messages on the meat bags like we see on the cigarettes?
    It’s unhealthy maybe but any industry defends the profit it makes.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jul 31st 2019, 12:48 AM

    But any barbecued & scorched food is not good. Soot is a known carcinogen. Eating healthily isn’t about giving up moderate eating.

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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Jul 29th 2019, 6:20 PM

    Who cares ?

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