It's hard to imagine a packet of bacon with the message, 'Eating bacon could be injurious to health', but if a WHO warning on consumption of processed meats is translated into warnings labels, then bacon, ham and cocktail sausage packs could go the cigarette packet way. The World Health Organisation is set to declare processed meats as cancer causing with red meats following a little lower in the list. The decision follows a meeting of scientists from 10 nations who reviewed all available evidence and concluded that processed meat is carcinogenic.
Of course the key phrase here is 'people who eat a lot of these meats' are at a higher risk of contracting bowel cancer. The report also adds that beef, lamb and pork can form part of a healthy diet and that red meat is a good source of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Scientists have long established the link between processed meat and health risk, but this is the first time the WHO has decided to step in. However, for the warning to translate into labels, national governments would have to frame laws and rules. This is less likely to happen considering the clout of the processed food industry. It might be recalled that WHO has recently issued a warning that diesel engine exhausts were carcinogenic, but diesel vehicles continue to be sold in the market. Nonetheless, the warning will shift the focus to consumption and health, which is quarter of the battle won.
