To make healthy choices easier for consumers, we raise awareness of the health benefits of red meat as part of a balanced diet, and of the high standards of sustainable livestock production in the UK and Ireland as ethical and sustainable choices for both human health and the health of the planet which are increasingly important to consumers.
Over 80% of our finished product is pure meat, which has been naturally produced and is not subject to value-adding activities beyond the processing of live animals into beef and lamb. Grassland accounts for approximately 80% of Ireland’s and 65% of the UK’s agricultural land, which is not suitable for arable crops, but is ideal for grazing livestock. Cattle and sheep convert grass into a highly nutritious protein, which is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. By primarily supporting and sourcing grass fed cattle, the resulting beef profile has a healthier fatty acid and vitamin profile.
Enable consumers to make choices that are better for themselves and the planet.
Focus on health in new product development.
Communicate the Lifetime Nutritional Value of Red Meat.
The Nutritional Value of Red Meat
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as “COMPLETE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING” and is something we should all strive for. Good health can come from eating a balanced diet which means eating a wide range of foods from different food groups in the right amounts. Lean red meat – in the right proportions – can play role in a healthy, balanced diet. It is naturally rich in protein, low in sodium and provides eight vitamins and minerals* that contribute towards good health and well-being. One of these vitamins B12 can help reduce tiredness and fatigue and is an essential nutrient not naturally present in a vegan diet. We hope that through better communication we can help improve consumer understanding about the contribution beef and lamb can make to a healthy balanced diet, throughout life.
Immunity Support
Five of these essential vitamins and minerals help the immune system work normally: vitamin B12, vitamin B6, zinc, selenium and iron. The immune system protects against infections.
Tiredness and fatigue
Six of these essential nutrients can help to reduce tiredness and fatigue: vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and iron.
Blood pressure
Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure. Also, beef and lamb are naturally low in salt. Reducing consumption of salt contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
Psychological function
Four of these essential vitamins and minerals support normal psychological function: vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin (vitamin B3) and thiamin (vitamin B1).
Cognitive function
Iron and zinc contribute to normal cognitive function. Iron contributes to normal cognitive development of children. This is extremely important in infants. At weaning a source of iron must be given to prevent possible issues with brain development and later learning ability.
Hormone regulation & Thyroid function
Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone (male sex hormone) levels in the blood. Selenium contributes to normal thyroid function.
Nervous system
Vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamin (vitamin B1) and potassium help the nervous system to work normally.
Energy production
Eight of these essential vitamins and minerals support normal energy production (energy-yielding metabolism) in the body: vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin (vitamin B3), thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), phosphorus, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and iron.
Muscles
Pork, beef and lamb are naturally rich in protein, which supports the growth and maintenance of muscles. They are also a source of potassium, which supports normal muscle function. More protein is needed in the growing years as muscle development is maximised. It is also recognised that older people require more protein to prevent sarcopenia which is the condition which causes frailty in older people.
Skin, hair and nails
Niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and zinc help maintain normal skin. Zinc and selenium help maintain normal hair and nails.
Bones
Bones: Beef and lamb naturally provide protein, zinc and phosphorus, which contribute to the maintenance of normal bones throughout life.
Children’s bones: beef and lamb naturally provide protein and phosphorus, which are both needed for normal growth and development of children’s bones.
Red blood cells
Vitamins B6 and B12 support normal red blood cell formation. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) supports the maintenance of normal red blood cells. Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
Note: Nutrition and health claims are authorised claims that comply with Regulation (EU) 1169/2011. The claims relate to 100g trimmed, lean raw beef and lamb, based on the nutrient content documented in McCance and Widdowson’s Composition of Foods. Cooking methods will vary and influence the final nutrient content of red meat as some nutrients reduce by heat. Also when meat is cooked it loses water and fat, so for example protein levels change from approx. 20-25g in raw meat to 28-30g per 100g in cooked meat.
*Rich in niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and zinc and a source of riboflavin, iron, potassium and phosphorus.
Our New Product Development team have delivered many projects to advance the health benefits of our value-added products and work to make them more sustainable, healthier and nutritious. We look at ways to address obesity through improved portion control and reduced sugars and salts in added ingredients, working well beyond FSA 2024 guidelines on salt reduction. We are committed to helping all customers have a healthy and sustainable diet that is rich in protein and a variety of fruits and vegetables. As such we will look for opportunities to increase the national benefits of all our products through the inclusion of vegetables, where suitable and beneficial to the product.
Progress in this area is incremental as we are largely suppliers of private label meat products to multiple retail and foodservice outlets. We encourage both our customers and the ultimate consumers of our products, to make better nutritional choices by offering more of these products for sale with the relevant factual science-based information.
We continue to research and implement the science around the role red meat plays throughout our life stages as part of a balanced diet, which feeds into our ongoing new product development.