A new report said that as little as 50g of processed meat a day (less than two slices of bacon) increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%.
The report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) also classified the consumption of red meat as 'probably carcinogenic' to humans. The association was observed mainly for colorectal cancer, but associations were also seen for pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.
Sustain is a founder of Eating Better, a broad alliance working to help people move towards eating less meat and more food that’s better for us and the planet.
Eating Better says: 'This latest authoritative evidence from the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) provides yet more compelling reasons to reduce our consumption of meat. Not only would eating less meat, particularly processed meat, help prevent cancer, it would also help prevent dangerous climate change, stop more animals being kept in factory farms and help us feed the world more fairly.
'Eating Better is calling on Public Health England to review their advice to the public and health professionals on meat consumption in light of this new evidence, and for new advice to be incorporated into standards for school meals and other public sector catering.'
Published Monday 26 October 2015
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
