The Beyond Meat Beef

There's a big controversy over a little - well - mid-sized burger. It seems the beef lobby is having problems with Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. Accusations are running wild, with questions about the integrity of this latest food trend. Are they valid?


It was the topic of an article in today's New York Times Science section. Anahad O'Connor , who writes about consumer health and national news  for the Times delved into this burgeoning fight.
 There is even a heavy advertising campaign by the Center of Consumer Freedom, a public relations firms with ties to the meat industry. The ads call the Beyond Burgers as "ultra processed imitations" and casting aspersions about what's in  it. The burgers have even been compared to dog food with the question of what's in it. Meat producers are taking this fight to lawmakers. At least twenty-five states have introduced bills making it illegal to use the words "beef" and "meat" on products made from plant products. This also includes meat that's been cultured in a lab. The bills also calls for Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger to put the word "imitation" on all their packages. Missouri became the first state to pass the bill which was initially proposed by who else - the Missouri Cattleman's Association.

As you can tell I'm a big fan of the Beyond Beef burgers, having made them for tonight's dinner. They are not dog food. just an alternative to unhealthy meat and  lifesavers in a vegetarian household. They're made from canola and coconut oils, rice protein and potatoes. Beet juice  extract is added to give them that red meat look. The Impossible Burger is somewhat similar in composition but has the addition of heme - an iron containing compound from soy. it enhances the meat flavor of the patties. The burgers may have the same amount of calories but are close to nothing when it comes from cholesterol and saturated fat. They're also high in sodium with 370 milligrams of salt  in the Impossible Burger and 390 in the Beyond Meat . A regular beef patty only has 75 milligrams. My advice - don't eat them that much. Have a burger or any any other plant based "meat" two or three times a month. There are many meatless alternatives out there from bean dishes to recipes that are made from fresh veggies. Save the plant based burgers for special meals.

There should be no controversy when it comes to Beyond Meat and Impossible Burgers. Buy them at your local Burger King (and watch other fast food chains come out with them) or grocery markets. Enjoy them. They are good for you if eaten in moderation. They're also delicious to the point of addictive. Try them today and see.




Run  free, little Honey, run free, angel.