Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence informs the criteria for the proportion of meat recommended in the NHS Eatwell Guide and Guideline Daily Allowances.

Whilst there are no official recommendations on the consumption of white meat, the Government recommends that people who currently eat more than 90 grams (cooked weight) of red and processed meat a day, cut down to no more than an average of 70 grams a day. This is based on advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN).

The SACN reviewed the evidence on red and processed meat intake as part of their report ‘Iron and Health’ in 2010. The report concluded that red and processed meat is probably associated with increased bowel cancer risk. The SACN recommended that people with relatively high intakes of red and processed meat should consider reducing their intakes. ‘Iron and Health’ is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-iron-and-health-report