Finland excludes reindeer and moose meat from new dietary guidelines

Reindeer and moose meat are not included in Finland’s latest dietary guidelines. The recommendations indicate a significant reduction in the consumption of red meat, specifically beef, pork, and lamb, which should be limited to a maximum of 350 grams per week. While reindeer and moose are categorized as red meat, specific guidelines have not been established for them due to a lack of sufficient research.

Maijaliisa Erkkola, chair of the nutrition committee, stated that there is inadequate scientific evidence regarding the health implications of consuming game meat and reindeer. She emphasized the need for more research to determine the health effects associated with higher consumption of these meats.

According to a review from the University of Helsinki’s Department of Food Technology, reindeer meat has a favorable fatty acid composition, making it potentially suitable for a healthy and varied diet. However, the precise health effects of consuming large amounts of reindeer meat remain unclear, and Erkkola advises moderation in its consumption.

Furthermore, Erkkola noted that many Finns tend to consume excessive saturated fats, which can negatively impact health. While reindeer meat has a low-fat content, it is still important to keep consumption within reasonable limits.

The new dietary guidelines also take environmental concerns into account. The committee has examined whether there are distinctions between farmed and wild reindeer, particularly regarding their environmental impact. Unfortunately, they found insufficient data on this matter as well, which is disappointing given the preference for science-based recommendations. Thus, this question remains unresolved.