The World Health Organisation is reportedly planning to declare that bacon, sausages and other processed meat cause cancer.
Advertisement
Burgers are also expected to be included in the list.
People who eat more than 90g (3.2 ounces, cooked weight) a day of red and processed meat should cut down to 70g (2.5 ounces) a day, says the NHS.
The IARC’s evaluation is understood to follow a review by scientists from 10 countries, who analysed all previous research in an approach known as a meta-study.
Processed meat has previously been blamed for one in 30 deaths and is seen as unsafe because preserving techniques can raise levels of cancer-causing chemicals.
“Processed meat refers to meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing, salting or adding preservatives”.
The Mail says processed meat consumption has been linked to bowel cancer, “Britain’s second biggest cancer killer”.
“Schools and hospitals must protect students and patients from cancer-causing asbestos”, says Physicians Committee director of nutrition education Susan Levin, M.S., R.D.
Professor Robert Pickard, Emeritus Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Cardiff, a member of the Meat Advisory Panel, said “Avoiding red meat in the diet is not a protective strategy against cancer”. Choosing a meat-free diet is a lifestyle choice – it is not vital for health.
The advice is given by WCRF that people should reduce the intake and should minimize it to 500g (cooked meat) per week of red meat, such as pork, beef and lamb.
A few studies have shown that if meat is consumed with vegetables or a high fibre diet the increased cancer risk is reduced, she said.
However, health chiefs have estimated that cutting red meat consumption to 20g a day, equivalent to a rasher of bacon a day or one English breakfast per week, would save 20,000 lives a year.
Foods like hamburgers, minced beef, pork chops and roast lamb are also regarded as red meat.
Advertisement
Eat more plant-based foods, whole grains, and lean sources of protein.
