Diabetes...It's What's for Dinner
Action Alert from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Physicians Committee (PCRM)
December 2014

[VICTORY: December 19: Last week, PCRM members submitted more than 1,000 comments opposing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan to increase beef promotion. And today—thanks to you—the USDA just abandoned a second beef checkoff program that would have spent $80 million in beef ads and marketing. That’s a big victory in the fight against heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases caused by meat consumption.]

[Also read Uncle Sam Says: Eat More Meat!]

ACTION

The beef industry is worried about declining profits and is asking the government to create another beef checkoff program.

The beef checkoff program is a marketing program to promote beef consumption with oversight by the United States Department of Agriculture and funded by beef companies.

Tell the USDA it should not promote more beef.

Go HERE to comment BEFORE December 10

meat and diabetes

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

The federal government has spent decades advising the public to consume less—not more—meat. The scientific and medical communities have warned for years that consuming meat increases the risk for diabetes and various cancers. So why is the government considering doubling the amount of resources it uses to promote beef?

The answer is simple: The beef industry is worried about declining profits and is asking the government to create another beef checkoff program.

The beef checkoff program is a marketing program to promote beef consumption with oversight by the United States Department of Agriculture and funded by beef companies.

Tell the USDA it should not promote more beef. We have developed a model comment for you to submit to the USDA below.

You may not have heard of the beef checkoff program before, but you are already familiar with it. The infamous “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” advertisement is funded by the beef checkoff program. Assessments under the current beef checkoff program currently generate $80 million annually and could double under a second checkoff program.

The Physicians Committee is weighing in on the USDA’s proposal for a second beef checkoff program but we need to elevate our collective voice.

Use our model comment to create your own comment:

I am opposed to the creation of a new beef checkoff program. The beef checkoff program funds some of the most unhealthful food, already lacks adequate USDA oversight—as found recently by the Inspector General—, and directly conflicts with the USDA’s own Dietary Guidelines for Americans that recommend limiting meat consumption. The scientific and medical communities have known for years that consuming beef leads to increased risk for diabetes and various cancers. Assessments under the existing beef checkoff already exceed $80 million annually. I encourage the USDA to consider other ways it can use industry funds to promote healthful food and stop the creation of a second beef checkoff program. 


Thank you for everything you do for animals!


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