Meat Lovers Rebut World Health Organization’s Warning About Beef

When Wendy’s fast food restaurants went national with an ad campaign years ago, little Clara Peller was heard repeatedly to ask, “Where’s the beef?” Would she today cry “watch out for beef”? The meat industry is absorbing a major body blow from the World Health Organization’s decision to link red meat with cancer.

The reaction from beef industry as reported by CNN -- "As a registered dietitian and mother, my advice hasn't changed," said Shalene McNeill, an executive director at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. "To improve all aspects of your health, eat a balanced diet, which includes lean meats like beef, maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and, please don't smoke."

Our columnist-consultant-businessman buddy Tim Bryce isn't about to be buffaloed when it comes to beef. Here’s his take on the latest news about the food we eat.

WHO’S ON BEEF?
by Tim Bryce

BRYCE ON FOOD
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently took aim at our consumption of meat, claiming it was a carcinogen, much like tobacco. They specifically included processed meats, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, and just about anything prepared at a butcher shop. They also took aim at red beef, bacon, and cheese. No doubt, vegans from around the world ran a celebratory lap after learning of this. I'm sorry, but I'm not quite ready for tofu burgers or chili made from bean sprouts. Nope, not going to happen.
The report implies the consumption of such meat products should be regulated like tobacco, and likely taxed as such. Sorry, but I do not want the government any more involved with my food than they already are. I also foresee a class action lawsuit in the not too distant future against supermarkets and butcher shops, much like the ones against the tobacco companies. I can see the attorneys drooling already. If such a lawsuit is won, this will be the end of meat consumption as we know it, and hello to "Soylent Green."
As for me, I'll continue to "mainline" on beef. Sorry, I'm hooked. I love my char grilled hot dogs (particularly from Buffalo), my Cincinnati-style Chili, Beef on Weck (another delicacy from Buffalo), hot Italian sausages, pork ribs, tacos and burritos, meatloaf, burgers (e.g., White Castles), and, of course, steaks, chops and bacon. I also love fowl and seafood, but save the beef for me.
Frankly, I believe this to be nothing more than another liberal conspiracy to change our habits and make us feel guilty about ourselves, much like climate control. To paraphrase Charlton Heston though, they will have to take my hot dog "from my cold, dead hands." These "do-gooders" are going to be the death of us all, not the meat. Why can't they just leave us alone? Maybe it’s finally time to divide the country and let the liberals live in one section of the country and the sane people in the rest. Maybe it’s time to let the Godless ones of California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, Chicago and New York City secede and leave the rest of us alone.
Either that or I guess this means we will all have to give it up; reading the news that is.
As to the WHO, thank you for your research. You have advised us accordingly. Now, like tobacco, we will take due notice and govern ourselves accordingly. Now go away.
Keep the Faith!
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Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Fla., and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
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Copyright © 2015 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.