WHO says processed meat causes cancer

Those who love eating meat may have to do a rethink, as the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that eating processed meat such as sausages and ham causes cancer, while unprocessed red meat may also be carcinogenic.

The WHO’s cancer research unit now classifies processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans on the basis of sufficient evidence for colorectal cancer,” it said in a new report.

Most processed meat contains pork or beef, but may also contain poultry.

Unprocessed red meat such as steak and lamb shanks is classified as “probably carcinogenic.”

The WHO said the finding was important for public health since processed meat is so widely consumed. However, it said red meat still has “nutritional value.”

Read also: WHO says 1 out of every 6 African has mental disorder

“These results are important in enabling governments and international regulatory agencies to conduct risk assessments, in order to balance the risks and benefits of eating red meat and processed meat and to provide the best possible dietary recommendations,” said Christopher Wild, head of the WHO’s cancer agency, in a statement.

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