Introduction
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about a new food that has the environment in mind. It is called “alternative meat. This alternative meat is made without regular meat and is considered to be very good for the planet. In this article, we will explain in simple terms what alternative meat is, why it is attracting so much attention, and what the future holds for us.
What is alternative meat?
Meat alternatives are foods that take the place of real meat. These can be made from plants, such as soybeans, or by growing cells with special techniques. And as these technologies continue to evolve around the world, new meat substitutes are being developed every day.
Alternative Meat Made from Plants
There are ways to make meat-like foods from plants. For example, soybeans and peas are used. A well-known product called “Beyond Burger” has a significantly reduced environmental impact compared to regular hamburger meat. The product reduces greenhouse gases by 90%, uses 93% less land, and 99% less water. This contributes to reducing climate change, preventing deforestation, and conserving water resources.
In addition, plant-based meat alternatives are popular with people who want to avoid animal products and who want to be more environmentally conscious in their diets. As a result, they are increasingly available in supermarkets and restaurants.
Cell-grown alternative meat
Another method is to grow cells to produce meat. In this technique, a small amount of cells are taken from the animal and increased in a special way. Specifically, the cells are placed in a nutrient-rich liquid, cultured, and then increased until the cells grow and take on a meat-like shape. This method is also attracting attention from an animal welfare perspective because it does not require raising animals. Cultured meat produced by a company called SuperMeat is estimated to reduce greenhouse gases by 47% compared to regular chicken meat. It can also reduce land use by 90%.
This method is also attracting attention from an animal welfare perspective because it does not require raising animals. In addition, advances in cell culture technology are expected to enable price reductions and mass production.
Why do we need meat substitutes?
Today, the world’s population continues to grow. Producing food for many people to eat puts a burden on the earth. In particular, it takes a lot of land, water, and energy to produce meat. This is why environmentally friendly meat alternatives are gaining attention.
Why alternative meat is earth-friendly
Producing alternative meats puts less burden on the environment than producing regular meat. For example, “Beyond Burger” uses 90% less greenhouse gases, 93% less land, and 99% less water. In addition, cell-based meat alternatives can produce only the amount of meat needed, so less food is wasted. For example, whereas conventional poultry production can result in about 25% waste per bird, cultured meat reduces waste to almost zero.
Furthermore, the use of alternative meat reduces problems associated with the livestock industry, such as deforestation and water pollution. These positive environmental impacts are increasing attention to meat substitutes around the world.
A way to avoid wasting food
When you cook regular meat, you end up with a lot of unused parts. But with alternative meat, you can make only what you need. This is a very efficient method, especially with cell-based meat substitutes, because very little waste is produced. In this way, devising ways to avoid wasting food is very important to protect the earth.
In addition to reducing food waste, the production of meat substitutes also helps to stabilize the food supply because of the efficiency of storage and distribution.
Alternative Meat as the Food of the Future
Alternative meats are becoming more and more delicious as technology advances. It now tastes as good as real meat. They are also gradually becoming less expensive, which will make it easier for many people to buy them.
A good source of protein
Alternative meats contain a lot of protein, which is necessary for good health. In addition, since the animals are not raised, it helps to protect them. For these reasons, it is expected to become an important food for the future.
Meat alternatives are also expected to help solve protein deficiencies in developing countries. For example, in some parts of Africa, plant-based meat alternatives have been introduced on a trial basis, and results of improved nutrition have been reported. Also, in India, a project is underway to provide low-cost, highly nutritious food products using cultured meat technology. As costs are reduced and the use of this technology becomes more widespread, more regions will be able to offer healthier meals.
Technological Innovation and New Possibilities
Many companies are currently focusing on developing alternative meat technologies. For example, research is underway to make the taste and texture of plant-based meat substitutes more authentic, and systems are being developed to enable mass production of cultured meat. The day is not far off when this will make meat substitutes more accessible.
Conclusion
Alternative meat is a new food that enriches our diet while protecting the earth. Not only does it have a positive impact on the environment, but it also reduces food waste. As the examples of “Beyond Burger” and “SuperMeat” show, alternative meats have a lot of potential.
Furthermore, the widespread use of meat alternatives will not only help solve environmental problems, but also improve health and food security. If more people choose alternative meat in the future, it will be a step toward protecting the future of the earth.
By the way, the author has eaten a variety of alternative meats. I feel that they are getting tastier year by year.I encourage everyone to try them.
References
1.LCA report published by Beyond Meat (January 3, 2024)
2.SuperMeat’s cultured meat LCA results (April 3, 2024)
3.SciFi Foods article on food technology (February 1, 2024)
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