WHO warns of high consumption of meat

The World Health Organization’s cancer agency says the consumption of processed meat increases the risk of cancer, and red meat is also likely to cause the disease. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC, released on Monday a review of more than 800 studies that investigated the association of different types of cancer with the consumption of red meat and processed meat. IARC experts said carcinogens accumulate in processed meats such as ham and sausage during production processes, including salting and curing. They also said grilling or smoking meat over an open fire can create suspected carcinogens. The experts said they had concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent, compared with those who do not consume such foods. Mammalian red meat, including beef and pork, was classified as ‘probably carcinogenic.’ The association was observed mainly...

October 27, 2015

The World Health Organization’s cancer agency says the consumption of processed meat increases the risk of cancer, and red meat is also likely to cause the disease.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC, released on Monday a review of more than 800 studies that investigated the association of different types of cancer with the consumption of red meat and processed meat.

IARC experts said carcinogens accumulate in processed meats such as ham and sausage during production processes, including salting and curing. They also said grilling or smoking meat over an open fire can create suspected carcinogens.

The experts said they had concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent, compared with those who do not consume such foods.

Mammalian red meat, including beef and pork, was classified as ‘probably carcinogenic.’ The association was observed mainly for colorectal cancer, but also for pancreatic and prostate cancer.

One of the experts said the new findings further support current public health recommendations to limit the intake of meat.

US meat producers have reacted sharply, arguing that cancer is a complex disease not caused by a single food.