32.2% of Australians Have Reduced Their Meat Consumption in the Past 12 Months
A study by Australia’s Griffith University has found that 32.2% of respondents have reduced their meat consumption over the past year. Health was the most commonly cited reason, amid rising concerns about the link between animal products and chronic disease. This was followed by environmental and animal welfare issues. However, a small percentage of respondents (3.3%) had actually increased their meat consumption. Most participants who had cut down on meat said they aimed to follow a plant-forward diet, but a minority (14.3%) said they were just trying new products and did not necessarily plan on a long-term diet change. Overall, findings indicated widespread interest in and openness to plant-based foods. Some respondents reported barriers to eating a plant-based diet, such as other household members not …