SCIENCE AND FACTS GUIDE BEEF INDUSTRY NUTRITION MESSAGE

DENVER, (August 12, 1997) -- The beef industry has renewed its pledge
to use only factual, scientifically supported information when
communicating to consumers about beef's nutritional qualities.  The boards
of directors of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the
Cattlemen's Beef Board recently adopted an updated Statement of Principles
to guide the industry in its communications with consumers.
    
     "Today's consumers are bombarded daily with often conflicting
information about diet and health choices they should make," said Mary
Young, M.S., R.D., Director of Nutrition Research and Information for NCBA.
"We want to remind consumers the beef industry uses only scientifically
supported information consumers can use to make informed choices about what
they eat."
    
     The statement includes seven key principles that guide the industry's
communication efforts with regard to nutrition, diet, physical activity,
research and seeking dietary advice.  An update of a statement of
principles first adopted in 1987, the new statement reflects changes that
have occurred in the nutrition arena in the past ten years, including the
higher profile of Registered Dietitians as sources of nutrition and health
information.  The statement supports the recommendations of the Food Guide
Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans set forth by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
    
     "Beef has a great nutritional story to tell," said Young.
"Overwhelming scientific evidence indicates today's beef fits into healthy
diets while contributing vital nutrients like iron, zinc and Vitamin B-12.
Our industry remains committed to using facts and science in our
communication with consumers," concluded Young.
    
     Initiated in 1898, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the
marketing organization and trade association for America's one million
cattle farmers and ranchers.  With offices in Denver, Chicago and
Washington D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization
representing the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.
    
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       NCBA Statement of Principles
                           Nutrition and Health
                               Introduction
                                    
     As producers, processors and marketers of the nation's beef supply, we
are committed to providing a wholesome, nutritious food and to
communicating accurate information about beef's nutritional qualities and
the role of beef in a healthful diet.  We pledge to use the following
principles to guide our actions and communications about beef in regard to
nutrition and health.

                                Principles

    1. We will provide factual, scientifically supported information about
       beef to help consumers make informed choices about what they eat.

    2. We believe that overwhelming scientific evidence shows that dietary
       balance, variety and moderation coupled with appropriate physical
       activity provides the foundation for a healthful life, and we
       support the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
       and the Food Guide Pyramid in that regard.

    3. We are committed to conducting and participating in programs to
       actively disseminate accurate information about the nutritional
       advantages of beef which support and extend the important consumer
       messages in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide
       Pyramid.

    4. We recognize the important role of health professionals and
       nutrition educators in providing nutrition information and are
       committed to working with them and their professional organizations
       to communicate accurate information about nutrition and health.

    5. While we believe that dietary balance, variety, moderation and
       physical activity are the keys to health, we also encourage
       individuals with specific health concerns that require dietary
       modification to consult a physician followed by nutrition
       counseling from a Registered Dietitian.

    6. We will support research on the nutritional qualities of beef and
       will accurately communicate research findings to help consumers
       make informed decisions about their diet.

    7. We recognize that consumers want foods that are good tasting and
       convenient as well as nutritious and will support research to
       provide beef products that meet these consumer desires.
    
                                  -- NCBA --