Bacon, sausages and other processed meats cause cancer: WHO

Processed meats, such as bacon and ham, do cause cancer, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Its report said 50g of processed meat a day increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%.

The classification, outlined by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), sees processed meats termed “carcinogenic to humans,” the highest of five possible rankings shared with alcohol, asbestos, arsenic and cigarettes.

However, the WHO did say meat does have health benefits.

Beef, lamb and pork “can form part of a healthy diet,” it said, and red meat “is a good source of protein and provides vitamins and minerals, such as iron and zinc”.

Processed meats have been modified to increase shelf-life or alter flavour, such as by smoking, curing or adding salt or preservatives.

It is these additions which could be increasing the risk of cancer.

The conclusions are based on the work of a 22-member panel of international experts, which reviewed decades of research on the link between processed meats, red meat, and cancer.

“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal [bowel] cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Dr Kurt Straif from the WHO said.

It also said red meats were “probably carcinogenic,” and are linked to pancreatic and prostate cancer.

Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society UK, said: “When the world’s leading health authority declares that bacon and ham are carcinogenic, that frying up sausages carries a cancer risk akin to lighting up a cigarette, it’s time for consumers and government health ministers to listen.

“This latest research needs to underpin a turning point in global diets – we simply can’t afford to continue damaging our health, the environment and causing immeasurable animal suffering, with such high levels of meat consumption, not to mention other animal products.

“It’s time now for the government to step up to the plate and amend the ‘Eatwell’ dietary guidelines to take this into account.”