BOWEL CANCER AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES MEAT FREE WEEK 2018

The campaign aims to get Australians thinking and talking about meat consumption and production. 

It’s the sixth year Meat Free Week has run in Australia and support for the cause has continued to grow with international celebrities and cooks including Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney, of Meat Free Monday, Anna Jones, Bruno Loubet and our own Hetty McKinnon, Simon Bryant and Rowie Dillon behind it. 

There is convincing evidence that a high consumption of red meat and processed meat increase bowel cancer risk. Studies show that bowel cancer risk increases by 12% per 100g of red meat consumed per day and by 16% per 50g of processed meat consumed per day. For Meat Free Week, Australians are encouraged to skip meat for seven days and fundraise for one of three charities, including Bowel Cancer Australia, World Animal Protection and Sustainable Table, while raising awareness of the impact a high consumption of meat can have on our health, the environment and animal welfare. 

Bowel Cancer Australia’s National Community Engagement Manager Claire Annear said the campaign was created to give people an opportunity to think about how much meat they eat and the impact that consuming too much meat can have. “Although Australia ranks among the top in the world when it comes to meat consumption, research shows 95% of us don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables.” 

“By taking part in Meat Free Week we hope people will consider how much meat they’re eating during the other 51 weeks in the year and be in a better position to make more informed choices.” 

Everyone is invited to take the Meat Free Week challenge and discover how easy it is to make little changes that can create a big difference. For more details, meat-free recipe ideas and to sign up, visit meatfreeweek.org.