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Publication at a glance
Type of publication: Specialist report / data analysis
Publisher: The Food Foundation
Commissioning body: None specified
Geographical focus: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2025
Target audience: Policymakers, the food industry, researchers, and health and sustainability stakeholders
What is the report about?
The publication looks beyond the question of how much meat is consumed in the United Kingdom. Instead, it examines who consumes which types of meat, the circumstances in which consumption takes place and how eating habits are changing. On this basis, the Food Foundation aims to identify opportunities to encourage more plant-rich diets.
A central theme of the report is that meat remains an established part of the UK diet, while consumption patterns vary significantly by age, gender, income and eating occasion. At the same time, the report shows that purchasing and dietary habits are already changing, although not consistently across all groups.
Key findings
Meat consumption varies considerably between population groups
Analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey reveals clear differences between population groups. According to the report, men and young adults consume particularly high quantities of meat. Men aged 19 to 40 have the highest intake of processed meat. Regional differences are also evident: meat consumption in Northern Ireland is higher than in the other nations of the United Kingdom.
Poultry dominates the market – processed meat remains significant
Poultry has become the leading meat category in the United Kingdom. At the same time, processed meat continues to account for a substantial share of consumption. According to the report, children consume a higher proportion of processed meat than adults. Alongside chicken, commonly consumed meat products include sausages, bacon and other processed products.
Out-of-home eating shapes meat consumption
The report places particular emphasis on the out-of-home market. Around 28% of total meat consumption takes place outside the home. Meat-based dishes dominate particularly in the fast-food sector, often involving processed or highly processed meat. The authors highlight that more than one third of processed meat is consumed outside the home.
Consumption is falling, but the direction of change remains open
The data analysed show a long-term decline in both meat consumption and meat purchasing. At the same time, the publication refers to surveys indicating that many consumers are open to changing their diets. However, there remains a gap between attitudes and actual behaviour. The report therefore describes a period of transition without suggesting that the direction of change is clear-cut.
Why is the publication worth reading?
Meat Facts provides a data-driven view of the structure of meat consumption in the United Kingdom, shifting the focus from general discussions about quantities towards the realities of how meat is actually consumed. Readers will find analyses of different population groups, the role of processed meat, the importance of out-of-home eating and changes in purchasing and consumption behaviour.
Rather than placing individual dietary recommendations at the centre, the publication provides a comprehensive picture of how meat is currently consumed in the United Kingdom – and the questions this raises for the food industry, policymakers and researchers. For anyone seeking to understand the dynamics shaping the current debate around meat and more plant-rich diets, the report offers numerous starting points for further exploration.
Read the full report here:
* Transparency Notice: The publications featured on Foodtech Now! are selected and curated by the editorial team based on their relevance to the international protein industry. The analysis of the original publication and the preparation of this article were carried out with the support of artificial intelligence. This article is intended as an overview and does not replace reading the full original publication. The original source remains the authoritative reference for all content and statements.
Header image: The Food Foundation (2025): MEAT FACTS. What meat is the UK eating and why does it matter?
