People are used to seeing stark warnings on tobacco products alerting them about the potentially deadly risks to health. Now a study suggests similar labelling on food could help them make wiser choices about not just their health, but the health of the planet.

The research, by academics at Durham University, found that warning labels including a graphic image – similar to those warning of impotence, heart disease or lung cancer on cigarette packets – could reduce selections of meals containing meat by 7-10%.

It is a change that could have a material impact on the future of the planet. According to a recent YouGov poll, 72% of the UK population classify themselves as meat-eaters. But the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which advises the government on its net zero goals, has said the UK needs to slash its meat consumption by 20% by 2030, and 50% by 2050, in order to meet them.

  • KapiteinPoffertje@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Most cows eat soy which is produced on former rainforest grounds.

    Additionally, we are better off eating/using what is produced on farmlands directly instead of feeding it to animals. That is much more energy efficient!

    • commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      we are better off eating/using what is produced on farmlands directly

      we do. what we feed to animals is mostly the parts of plants that people can’t or won’t eat.

      • jose1324@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        That’s just not true lmao. 90% of soy production is for animals. Not humans.

        • commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          1 year ago

          85% of all soy is put into an oil press. the byproduct of oil production is called soycake or soy meal.

          that makes up the vast majority of the soy that is fed to animals.

          • jose1324@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            So… What i said? Lmao what trap card. Your source doesn’t say anything about “soy humans can’t eat”. It’s just normal ass soy pushed into soy cakes.

            • commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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              1 year ago

              “soy cake” is the industrial waste from the production of soybean oil. exactly what i said. also, your estimate of how much soy ends up as animal feed was off by a lot.

            • commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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              1 year ago

              85% of all soybeans are pressed for oil for people. that can’t be true if 90% of soy production is for livestock. but i have the facts on my side. i’ll accept your apology any time.

                • commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                  1 year ago

                  the oil is 20% of the bean. the oil is 50% of the value of the bean. the soybean meal is a by-product of oil processing. if we didn’t feed it to animals it would almost entirely be wasted.

                  • jose1324@lemmy.world
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                    1 year ago

                    Jesus can you write one comment lol. Obsessed af. So by your own words there is 80% bean left, which we literally eat in the form of tofu for example. Your 50% value is abirtrary af aswell.

                    We literally farm more soy purely to feed livestock, which is retarded.

                    Bro even your own damn source with that image says: “But, only a small percentage of global soy is used for these products. More than three-quarters (77%) of soy is used as feed for livestock.”

                    So no, it’s not waste. It’s most of the goddamn soy.

                    I’m not replying anymore, this convo is too stupid

    • Aux@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      No cows in UK eat soy.

      Also idk about you, but I can’t eat grass