It does not celebrate these unique, large, flightless birds, who can cover 25 feet in a single stride, dance a spectacular courtship ritual, and live in nature as long as 70 years, with both parents raising their offspring. Rather, it is a push to profit from selling ostrich meat and ostrich leather from young birds, typically slaughtered at 12 to 15 months in age. AOA's recent press release announcing National Ostrich Month portrays ostrich meat as a health food. Described as having a beef-like taste and texture, it is said to be lower in fat and cholesterol. AOA even goes so far as to claim that heart patients have great success using ostrich because it helps them maintain adequate lipid levels.
All animal products contain cholesterol.
Plant foods, by contrast, contain no cholesterol. However, a truly healthful diet doesn't have room for the fat and cholesterol found in any animal product. Of course, it's no surprise to see vested interests maneuvering to spin the ostrich and emu industries, given their histories, into a good light. Interest in consuming such meat has remained low, but controversy about farming these birds has been on the wing for years. But anyone who hasn't heard about the volatile emu and ostrich markets must have had their heads in the sand.