SAMW response to FSS meat & dairy report

Why Meat Matters for Scotland’s Children

A new report from Food Standards Scotland (FSS), produced in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, has shed important light on the nutritional importance of meat and dairy in the diets of Scotland’s children and young people and has once again underlined a simple but vital truth: meat matters.

The study explored what might happen if meat and dairy consumption were reduced, following a recommendation from the UK’s Climate Change Committee for a 20% cut in meat consumption by 2030, rising to 35% by 2050.  What the findings make clear, however, is just how significant a role meat plays in supporting the health, growth and development of Scotland’s young people.

Meat: A Key Source of Essential Nutrients

On any given day, around 90% of Scottish children and young people eat meat, and almost 100% consume dairy.  These foods are not just popular they are nutritional cornerstones.  The report highlights that meat and dairy provide many of the essential nutrients that growing bodies need, including protein, iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, calcium, and vitamin B12.

Importantly, the research found that some of these nutrients  especially zinc, iodine, and calcium  are already too low in many young people’s diets, particularly among 11–15-year-olds.  Reducing meat or dairy intake could make those deficiencies worse, even when care is taken to replace them with other foods.

A Risk of Nutrient Gaps

The study’s authors caution that, while it’s possible to replace some of the nutrients provided by meat and dairy, it’s not always sufficient.  Many children and teenagers are already at risk of low micronutrient intake, and cutting meat and dairy could exacerbate those deficiencies, with potential consequences for growth, energy levels, and cognitive development.

In short, the report recognises that meat and dairy remain vital contributors to a balanced diet, particularly for young people who may already be struggling to eat well.

Climate Ambitions Need Nutritional Balance

While the research acknowledges that reducing meat and dairy could help to lower greenhouse gas emissions, it also notes that children and young people make up only 15% of Scotland’s population meaning the environmental gains from cutting their meat consumption would be relatively small compared to the potential nutritional risks.

The report concludes that any future dietary changes must be carefully balanced to avoid worsening existing health and nutrition issues.  As it stands, achieving climate goals safely would only be possible if children’s overall diets improved in line with the Eatwell Guide.  A challenge that requires a shift in children’s diets to a much wider range of food choices than what they eat now and cannot simply be achieved by meat or dairy restrictions.

Supporting Healthy, Balanced Diets

For parents, educators, and policymakers, the takeaway is clear: meat and dairy play a vital role in keeping Scotland’s young people healthy.  Rather than removing these foods, the focus should be on encouraging balance, variety, and quality ensuring children eat enough fruit, vegetables, and whole grains alongside nutrient-rich meat.

As the debate around sustainable diets continues, this research is a timely reminder that good nutrition starts with balance, not restriction and that meat continues to be an important part of that equation for growing children.