Ask Taco Bell to think OUTSIDE the shel

January 27, 2011

MFA Offers to Help Taco Bell Solve Its Meaty Problem

By Nathan Runkle

There has been a lot of media attention this week over the recent lawsuit against Taco Bell, alleging the company's "meat mixture" contains only 36 percent meat instead of the 40 percent required to fit the definition of beef. But Mercy For Animals has a solution to Taco Bell's problem that could be a win-win for everyone, especially the animals who are cruelly slaughtered for meat.

In an open letter sent to Greg Creed, President of Taco Bell, Mercy For Animals' Executive Director, Nathan Runkle, asks:

Why not "Think Outside the Bun" and switch to a healthy and delicious vegan meat substitute and cash in on the growing demand for meatless meal options?

The letter continues:

Taco Bell customers would lose their appetites if they saw how cows raised for beef are inflicted with third degree burns (hot-iron branding), have their testicles ripped from their scrotums and their horns burned out of their skulls - all without any painkillers. Undercover investigations have revealed sick and injured animals routinely entering the human food supply. At slaughter, improper stunning condemns many animals to being skinned and dismembered while still alive, conscious and suffering.

Cruelty to animals aside, the United Nations is calling for a global shift toward a vegan diet, saying that this is crucial to saving the world population from hunger, fuel shortages and the worst impacts of climate change. And according to the American Dietetic Association, vegan diets provide powerful protection against many deadly diseases, including the three biggest killers in the United States: heart disease, many types of cancer, and strokes.

The letter concludes:

Human health, environmental degradation, cruelty to animals and false advertising allegations are all very serious issues, but Taco Bell can tackle these problems, and more, by adopting and promoting a healthy and humane vegan menu. There is simply no better time than right now to salvage your company's reputation and tap into a growing market for vegan foods. In fact, the National Restaurant Association says that vegan menu options are a "hot trend" for 2011. And with Taco Bell's 12 authentic (and vegan) seasonings and spices, your customers can get the same tastes and textures they know and love with plant-based meat substitutes without all the saturated fat, cholesterol and cruelty associated with animal flesh.

Mercy For Animals is ready and willing to assist Taco Bell in making the socially responsible switch to a healthy, humane and honest vegan menu. We look forward to your response.

Click here to read the complete letter.

While we wait for Taco Bell's response, concerned consumers can ensure they aren't being served a side of "mystery meat" by switching to a plant-based diet. Click here to order a FREEVegetarian Starter Kit and begin your journey toward meatless living.

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Hungry for Change: population growth requies drastic reduction in global meat consumption

Hungry for Change A new Foresight Report, featuring contributions from 400 researchers around the world, calls for a drastic reduction in global meat consumption to help meet the food demands of the growing human population and end world hunger.

January 27, 2011

Report: Drastic Reduction in Meat Consumption Necessary to End Global Hunger

By Nathan Runkle

On Monday, a new Foresight Report titled "The future of food and farming: challenges and choices for global sustainability," featuring contributions from 400 researchers around the world, called for a drastic reduction in global meat consumption to help meet the food demands of the growing human population.

"The Foresight study shows that the food system is already failing in at least two ways. Firstly, it is unsustainable, with resources being used faster than they can be naturally replenished. Secondly, a billion people are going hungry with another billion people suffering from 'hidden hunger', whilst a billion people are over-consuming," says Professor Sir John Beddington, the British Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Foresight research program.

The researchers indicate that grain-fed meat (particularly pigs and poultry) have "serious implications for competition for land, water and other inputs" and that "a reduction in the amount of meat consumed in high- and middle-income countries would have multiple benefits: a reduced demand for grain, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and a positive effect on health." According to the study, "Dietary changes are very significant for the future food system because, per calorie, some food items (such as grain-fed meat) require considerably more resources to produce than others."

With the global population expected to grow from 6.8 billion to more than 9 billion and annual per capita meat consumption expected to rise from nearly 82 pounds today to 115 pounds by 2050, scientists say the increase in demand on food crops to feed farmed animals will lead to higher overall food costs, increased deforestation to provide land to grow farmed animal feed crops and elevated levels of greenhouse gas emissions associated with raising animals for food. Additionally, the researchers conclude that a global shift to organic food production may only meet future food demands if combined with a "major shift in consumer diets," a tax on livestock production and other "proactive measures" to reduce global meat consumption.

As if improving one's personal health, helping spare animals from needless suffering andprotecting the planet from environmental destruction weren't compelling enough, another important reason to transition to a healthy vegan lifestyle is to help stave off global starvation and hunger. Luckily, making the switch to a plant-based lifestyle can be easy and delicious. VisitChooseVeg.com for tips and recipes to help you get started on a path toward a more compassionate and sustainable future.

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Legislatures in four states: Put vegan options on school lunch menus

Legislatures in 4 states: Put vegan options on school lunch menus

Legislatures in four states: Put vegan options on school lunch menus
by Max Kramer
01/06/11

http://www.vegsource.com/news/2011/01/legislatures-in-four-states-put-vegan-options-on-school-lunch-menus.html

This week, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act-the first major bipartisan bill enacted by a deeply polarized congress since the election. The act will replace junk food in school lunches and vending machines with more healthful options.

Several jurisdictions have taken similar action. The Hawaii, California, New York and Florida legislatures passed resolutions recommending vegan school options. Last year, the Baltimore City public school system became the first in the nation to offer its 80,000 students a weekly meat-free lunch. According to the School Nutrition Association, 65 per cent of U.S. schools now offer vegetarian lunch options.

In the past, the USDA has used the National School Lunch Program as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. Not surprisingly, 90 percent of American children consume excessive amounts of fat, and only 15 per cent eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. These early dietary flaws become lifelong addictions, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Those who care about our children's health should demand healthful, plant-based school meals, snacks and vending machine items. Additional information is available at [healthyschoollunches.org], [choiceusa.net] and [schoolnutrition.org].