In response to the article 'Drumsticks too?' (June 9), I would like to provide some relevant points in the New Zealand context.
New Zealanders currently eat red and processed meat within national nutrition guidelines, according to our last national nutrition survey. Here in New Zealand, the Ministryof Health's latest eating and activity guidelines recommend red and processed meats are eaten in the amounts specified by the 2007 World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) report.
The majority of New Zealanders eat well within these guidelines and the IARC conclusions do not suggest this needs to change.
In regards to Fruno's comments around vegetarian diets, cancer is a complex disease and cannot be attributed to a single food/diet. The greatest risk factors in cancer development are obesity, a lack of physical activity, alcohol and smoking.
Our scientific and medical communities agree eating lean red meat as part of a healthy, balanced diet is beneficial to health. It is an excellent source of protein, readily available iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin D and a range of B vitamins, as well as being a low-fat food.
We also feel very strongly that to imply eating meat is as bad as smoking, is not only incorrect but completely misleading and irresponsible.
ANTOINETTE BISSET General Manager Retail Meat New Zealand
