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Chen Wing S han 58794455
Yip S uet Yi 57295982
Cheung Nga Lam 57838815
Wang Beichen 57831365
Wong Wing S ze 57143937
S am Ching S ze 57971430

Beef
1
 Home

Table of Contents
01 Origin of Beef and its History

02 Beef in every country and it’s change through time

03 Why beef essential and integral to everyday life and culture

04 How did Beef become a commodity across different cultures?

05 Beef: on the Political Stage

06 Cultural symbols and socio-cultural distinctions

07 The Future of Beef: Cultural Implications

Beef
Home Introduction

Origin of
Beef and its
History
3
Cheung Nga Lam
 Etymology

• Latin words
• bōs: a genus of ruminant mammals including
the wild and domestic cattle and sometimes the
water buffaloes and related forms, distinguished
by a stout body and by hollow curved horns
standing out laterally from the skill

4
 Origin of Beef

• Prehistoric humans hunted aurochs and later domesticated

them
• Various cattle breeds have been developed for meat quality
and quantity
• Beef is the third most consumed meat globally, after pork and
poultry
• As of 2018, the largest beef producers were the United States,
Brazil, and China

5
 History of Beef

Ancient Practices:
• Traced back over 8,000 years in regions
• Mesopotamia
• Early humans relied on hunting and later began domesticating
cattle
• This transition enabled consistent access to meat, milk, and hides
• Aurich bulls are said to have reached a height of 1.8m
• Cows were smaller, only 1.5m
• Detailed hunting scense, Homo Sapiens (in Western Europe)

6
 Early Domestication of Cattle:

Fertile Crescent encompassing ancient Mesopotamia

• From 8000BC
• now identified with a large area of the Middle East

Transportation and Trade

• Enabling trade routes to flourish.
• To carry loads made them indispensable

Cultural Integration
• Became intertwined with cultural identities.
• Seen as symbols of wealth and power in various societies
7
 Early Domestication of Cattle:

Breeding for Quality

• To enhance desirable traits
• Leading to various cattle breeds suited for different
environmental conditions and meat quality
• 4000BC----FULLY domesticated
• Evolved into TWO main categories

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• 4000BC----FULLY domesticated
• Evolved into TWO main categories
• Humpless Cattle ( in Africa)
• Humped Cattle ( the Near East)

This brings different effects on shaping the civilization

9
 Reference

1. Addlesperger, E. (2007). Beef.

2.Heaton, K., Kelly, S. D., Hoogewerff, J., & Woolfe, M. (2008). Verifying

the geographical origin of beef: The application of multi-element

isotope and trace element analysis. Food Chemistry, 107(1), 506-515.

3.Őrsi, T. (2015). Cow versus beef: Terms denoting animals and their

meat in English. Eger Journal of English Studies, (15), 49-58.

4.Piatti-Farnell, L. (2013). Beef: A global history. Reaktion Books

10
Beef Culture

Beef in
every country
and it’s
change through
time
11
Yip Suet 5729598
 Beef America

When...

Before 19th after WW2 Current

Power,
Symbol of
male dominance,
Status marker America,
symbol of
identity
masculinity

12
Movie Confidentially Connie
(1953)

• wives of college lecturers

• desire of beef

Limited resources
represents affluence

13
WARNER ARCHIVE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5CcHcSD5Vo
Beef China

When...

Before 19th Current

Normal food and

supporters of
Economics Religious beliefs
farming

14
 Beef China

Traditional beliefs

Religion Work Worship Medical

Useful tool for

Best offering for Gods
sacred animal, farming,
Labelled as heaty
holy incarnation transportation Only eaten in food in Chinese
important festival by Medicine
Emotional connection the Royals
with farmers

15
 Reference
Admin, M. (2018, August 28). Is beef taboo for Chinese New Year? - Makansutra. Makansutra. https://makansutra.com/is-beef-taboo-for-chinese-new-
year/#:~:text=Besides%20chicken%2C%20pork%2C%20duck%20and,But%20what%20about%20beef%3F&text=Traditionally%2C%20the%20Chinese%20do%20not,of%20the%20Go
ddess%20of%20Mercy.

Addlesperger, E. (2007). Beef.

Brunson, K. (2022). Cattle and People in China: From the Neolithic to the Present. Cattle and People: Interdisciplinary Approaches to an Ancient Relationship .

Lawrence, M. (2021). Beef, Bull, and Ballyhoo. Animal Remains.

Warner Bros. Classics. (2013, February 5). Preview clip | Confidentially Connie | Warner Archive [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5CcHcSD5Vo

Waldron, S., Wang, J., Zhang, H., Dong, X., & Wang, M. (2015). The Chinese beef industry. Ben Tre, Vietnam.
https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:383936/UQ383936_OA.pdf

Willard, B. E. (2002). The American story of meat: Discursive influences on cultural eating practice. Journal of Popular Culture, 36(1), 105-118.

邓蓉, & 王伟. (2012). 试论中国农耕文化中的牛文化挖掘. 中国牛业发展大会.

惠富平, 荆峰, & 卜风贤. (1998). 中国牛文化述论. 黄牛杂志, 24(1), 5.

 Home Preparation Page 17

Why beef essential and integral to

everyday life and culture

Ox Beef

Chen Wing Shan, Sarah

Home Introduction Page18

How did Beef become

a commodity across
different cultures?

18
Health

• Supplies essential nutrients

: B vitamins, zinc, iron, etc
• It helps the body to produce
hemoglobin/protein.
• It helps the skin maintain its
elasticity and firmness.

19
Economy
• Major commodity/raw material in Global trade.
• The largest share of total cash in the agriculture
market.
• The third most consumed meat in the world:
The United States, Brazil, and China
( the largest meat producers)

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 Religion go
d

Indi
a
Sacred
Apis, the bull god

Ancient
Egypt
Sacred

Medieval
Wealth and
Europe
Power
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HISTORY
• Cows were domesticated in
the Middle East
• Traded along the Silk Road
• Brought to Europe
• Brought to America by
European Explorers during
the Age of Exploration

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Culture commodity

industrilalization

United
State
(western) Fast food-Beef Burger
& steak

Japan
(eastern)
(high cultural and economic value)

J apanese Yakiniku & J apanese Kobe Beef

23
Conclusion
1. Eating meat dates back to the foundations of
our world and has been enjoyed by differing
cultures from ancient times to the present day.

2. integral to the foundations of societies,

religion, industry, consumers, and producers.

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Conclusion
3. Became a commodity across cultures
through different methods.
(Globalization, industrialization,
transportation)

25
References
“Commodity in Focus: Beef,” n.d. https://www.export.org.uk/insights/trade-news/commodity-in-focus-beef/.

Dickson, James S. Ensuring Safety and Quality in the Production of Beef Volume 1. Burleigh Dodds
Series in Agricultural Science, 2017. https://doi.org/10.19103/as.2016.0008.
Kopytoff, Igor. “The Cultural Biography of Things: Commoditization as Process.” In Cambridge University Press eBooks, 64–92, 1986.
https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511819582.004.

Miciński, Jan, Ireneusz Kowalski, Józef Szarek, Grzegorz Zwierzchowski, and Joanna Wojtkiewicz. “Health-supporting Properties of Beef.”
Journal of Elementology, no. 1/2012 (January 1, 2012). https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2012.17.1.13.

Motoyama, Michiyo, Keisuke Sasaki, and Akira Watanabe. “Wagyu and the Factors Contributing to Its Beef Quality: A Japanese
Industry Overview.” Meat Science 120 (2016): 10–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.04.026.

Piatti-Farnell, L., & ProQuest. (2013). Beef a global history. Reaktion

Books.
Pomeranz, Kenneth, and Steven Topik. The World That Trade Created. Routledge eBooks, 2017.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315564081.

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Beef :
on the Political Stage
How does the production and use of beef affect societies politically?
How does it reflect political conditions?

WANG Beichen 57831365

Mindmap:
2. Cultural and Religious Influences

1. Slaughtering Methods 3. Economic Impact

Beef: on the Political Stage

7. Public Health Issues 4. International Trade

6. Health Concerns 5. Environmental Issues

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1. Slaughtering Methods
• Humane Slaughter Act: Most countries have civil laws
regulating the slaughtering methods.
• e.g. The U.S. legislation requires cattle to be unconscious before
slaughter (usually by electric shock) :
the humane treatment of animals
societal demands for ethical practices in food production.
political conditions where animal welfare is prioritised.

• Varied Standards: In some regions, traditional and customary

practices govern slaughtering.
different political priorities regarding animal welfare.
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2. Cultural and Religious Influences:
• India's Cow Protection Laws: Different states in India have their cow
protection laws which vary in stringency and enforcement, which also leads to
a rise in violence and lynchings in the name of cow protection.
• the legal prohibition of cow slaughter in many Indian states reflects the
political influence of Hindu beliefs about beef.

• Halal and Kosher Practices: In Muslim and Jewish cultures, cows must be
slaughtered according to religious laws (‘halal’ and ‘kosher’, both require a
believer of good faith to swiftly sever the animal's carotid artery with a sharp
knife). These practices such as allowing halal and kosher slaughtering
methods can conflict with local regulations in non-Muslim and non-Jewish
countries.
• the political accommodation of these practices reflects the need to balance
religious freedoms with local laws. 30
 3. Economic Impacts:
• Australia: The beef industry is a major economic driver in Australia, generating
over $3 billion annually. This economic significance influences political decisions
regarding trade policies, subsidies, and agricultural practices.
• the strong economic influence of beef influences political policy.

Exports
Research and Development Funding
National income

Trade Opportunities: trade initiatives

Market competitiveness

Government International Partnerships: foreign beef Rural and regional employment

partnerships
Policy
Food security and international relations
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4. International Trades:
• Kobe Beef: Japan's Kobe beef is highly prized globally with strict
regulations to maintain its quality, and the production and export of
Kobe beef are crucial for international relations.
• this reflects political conditions where maintaining international
standards and trade agreements is essential.
• Halal Certification in International Trade: Countries exporting beef to
Muslim-majority regions must ensure their products meet halal
standards, therefore the need for halal certification influences
international trade policies and agreements.
• this involves political negotiations and agreements to facilitate
international trade.
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5. Environmental Issues:
Call for Political Actions:
• Policies and regulations:
Deforestation
the beef industry causes
- forest protection policies
deforestation in areas like Brazil, - agricultural policies
Guatemala, and Honduras to - land management regulations
create pasture for cattle. extremely wasteful in terms of
energy and materials, with • International trade agreements
significant amounts of corn and and political negotiations:
water used to feed cattle.
- setting global quality
Waste of Resources sustainability standards
Desertification - including environmental
a major cause as the constant protection clauses in trade
pounding of hoofed cattle disturbs agreements
and destroys the delicate roots
e.g. Brazil's Forest Protection Policies
that keep soil layers intact.
U.S. Farm Bill
EU Trade Policies
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6. Health Concerns:
• Cancer Risk and Fast Food： Studies have linked beef consumption to an increased
risk of bowel cancer; it is also associated with health issues like obesity, diabetes, and
heart disease.
• Government Response and Stakeholder Counterattack：

• Public health policy: Governments use public health policies and campaigns to encourage
consumers to choose healthier dietary options. E.g. fast food chains such as McDonald's and
Wendy's have increasingly included "healthy options" that do not contain beef in their menus over
the past decade.

• Agriculture and food policy: Governments use food labeling regulations and campaigns to inform
the risks of beef consumption.

• Industry lobbying and influence: The meat industry uses political donations and lobbying activities
to try to influence government policies in favor of meat production and sales.
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7. Public Health Issues:
Beef Hormone Dispute & Mad Cow Disease
• EU Ban: In the late 1990s, the European Union banned meat imports treated with
artificial hormones, leading to a dispute with the U.S. and Canada. Although the ban was
lifted in 1998 by WHO due to the EU's inability to provide convincing scientific evidence,
it led to international trade disputes, prompting countries to reassess their food safety
and public health policies to align with global standards.

• BSE Crisis: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, impacted
millions of cows worldwide, posing risks to humans and leading to political challenges for
the beef industry. Countries imposed beef embargoes on the UK and affected regions,
causing a decline in consumer trust and demand. In response, the government
implemented measures to restore public confidence in food safety, and the EU established
regulations to control and eradicate BSE.

the role of politics in developing and enforcing food safety regulations, intervening 35
in international trade, managing public health crises, and restoring consumer trust.
Conclusion
Beef Production and Political Condition --- A complex interplay

• the political regulations and laws surrounding beef

are manifestations of society's collective conscience
• reflect and reinforce societal values and norms.

• the industry's negative environmental impact reflects capitalism's inherent contradictions,

• while health issues from beef consumption highlight the alienation of labour.
• Political decisions favouring beef production illustrate the influence of capital over state
policies.

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References：
• Grimaldi, A. (2021). “Beef: It’s what’s for dinner:” An analysis of Beef-Driven powerlessness as it relates to
food insecurity, climate change, and advertising in the United States.
https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/26523
• Henchion, M., & Zimmermann, J. (2021). Animal food products: policy, market and social issues and
their influence on demand and supply of meat. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 80(2), 252–263.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0029665120007971
• Piatti-Farnell, L. (2013). Beef: A Global History. Reaktion Books.
• Millstein, S. (2024, July 16). How the Meat Industry Shapes U.S. Politics (and Vice-Versa). Sentient.
https://sentientmedia.org/meat-industry-us-politics/
• Lundström, M. (2019). The political economy of meat. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics,
32(1), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-019-09760-9
• The Politics of Meat | Modern Meat | FRONTLINE | PBS. (2015, November 18).
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/meat/politics/

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Home

Cultural symbols
and socio-cultural
distinctions

Wong Wing Sze

57143937

38
Cultural Symbol: celebration and wealth
• During the Renaissance, paintings featuring killed
cows, with a biblical theme
• reflect the father’s joy at his son’s return home

• a well-known engraving by Philips Galle

• literature by Charles Dickens: the importance of beef in

the British diet, describing beef as having the capacity
to make every meal a celebration

• a symbol of the drawbacks to accumulating wealth

and power (Cumming, n.d.)
 Cultural Symbol: patriotic
Britain
• the Sublime Society of Beef Steaks
• debate matters like liberty and wealth
• mostly with hosting meals for elite male visitors and members
• attracted many notable members and became a patriotic
organization
• as a cherished meat and national symbol, became a symbol of
riches, greatness, and unrepentant patriarchy
• Christmas beef
America
• Meat eating is also associated with tradition and patriotism
• retains prominent position in diet due to the symbolic links
between masculinity, strength, and power (Heinz & Lee, 1998)
 Cultural Symbol: Popular culture
• used in cartoons and children's shows
America
• J. Wellington Wimpy: Wimpy Burger restaurant, which is an
American chain formed in the 1930s
• animated programs, e.g. The Simpson's, addressing subjects
like vegetarianism and the usage of beef hormones
• the medium of the burger
• cultural and national symbol in U.S.
• films promoted by Hollywood, consolidate beef’s status
(Lawrence, 2021)
Japan
• anime: Naruto, consumes large quantities of his famous beef
ramen
 Socio-cultural distinctions: National and
Cultural Identity
Britain
• conceive of themselves as a proud, beef-eating people
• central presence in English patriotic songs and
propaganda
• beef is a well-satisfied and traditional representation of
England's abundant environment

Example: Beef festivals

• protest against the Indian government's prohibition on
beef
• portrayed widely as an expression of Dalit ‘culture rights’
and identity (Natrajan, 2018)
 Conclusion
• The study of beef as a cultural symbol demonstrates its diverse importance in
many communities, acting as a measure of wealth, patriotism, popular culture
and cultural identity.

• The history of beef as a cultural symbol highlights its major influence in defining social narratives and
identities across cultures.

• intersect with different issues, like identity and resistance

References
Cumming, N. M. (n.d.). The relationship between meat consumption and power in late medieval and early
modern England.

Heinz, B., & Lee, R. (1998). Getting down to the meat: The symbolic construction of meat consumption.
Communication Studies, 49(1), 86–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510979809368520

Lawrence, M. (2021). Beef, bull, and ballyhoo. In Routledge eBooks (pp. 103–128).
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003129806-10

Natrajan, B. (2018). Cultural identity and beef festivals: toward a ‘multiculturalismagainstcaste.’

Contemporary South Asia, 26(3), 287–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/09584935.2018.1504000

Piatti-Farnell, L. (2013). Beef: A Global History.

The Future of Beef:
Cultural Implications

Sam Ching Sze Chelsea 57971430

45
 what are the possible futures of beef?
• Sustainable methods transform cattle raising
into environmentally regenerative practice

• Lab-grown beef becoming mainstream as

alternative protein technologies advance

• Plant-based substitutes gradually replacing

conventional beef in everyday diets
Real-Life Example:
• Health concerns shifting beef consumption • Impossible Foods (USA) and OmniFoods (China)
creating plant-based beef alternatives
toward premium, occasional indulgence 46
What does beef’s future tell us about
human cultures?
• Cultural adaptability is shown through
changing food traditions around sustainable
practices
• Tension between technological innovation
and traditional foodways reveals cultural
priorities
• Different societies negotiate environmental
concerns against cultural food practices
differently
• Food remains a powerful cultural identity
marker even amidst global changes 47
 Reference
Piatti-Farnell, L. (2013). Beef: A global history. Reaktion Books.

Pulina, G., Acciaro, M., Atzori, A., Battacone, G., Crovetto, G., Mele, M.,
Pirlo, G., & Rassu, S. (2021). Animal board invited review – Beef for future:
Technologies for a sustainable and profitable beef industry. Animal,
15(11), 100358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100358

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Home QnA Page 49

Q&A
49
 1. Would you eat less beef to protect the
environment? Share your answer.

2. Do You think meat alternatives (like plant-based

beef) will replace real beef in the future?

50
Home Thank You Page

Thank You

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