Processed meat “carcinogenic to humans”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans” having concluded that its consumption causes colorectal cancer. WHO experts claim that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%.

“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” says Dr Kurt Straif, head of WHO’s IARC Monographs Programme. He adds: “In view of the large number of people who consume processed meat, the global impact on cancer incidence is of public health importance.”