Early this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture drafted
new dietary guidelines for Americans, which will be finalized in the coming
months. Updated every five years, these guidelines provide recommendations for
how to eat healthfully, and have the potential to drastically shape how and
what America eats.
There’s speculation that for the first time in its history,
the USDA will recommend Americans cut back
on meat to help curb climate change.
“Investors shouldn’t underestimate the potential effect of
this on the meat industry, even though the general public is notoriously
resistant to any sort of health or diet-related advice from the government, Nasdaq magazine reports.
“Annual per capita
red meat consumption in the U.S. fell 15% to 101 pounds in the past
10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. … And the downward
consumption trend could soon accelerate, with major negative implications for
the meat industry.
With meat on the decline, the growing
market for plant-based food is quickly taking its
place. Wealthy investors like Bill
Gates are taking an interest in veg companies, and billionaire
Li Ka-shing gave $23 million to Hampton Creek and took part in a $75
million investment in Impossible Foods.
As the popularity of meat wanes, more and more delicious animal-free
options are hitting store
shelves all the time. But with the amazing variety of products already on the market,
there’s never been a better time to ditch meat.