It can be recalled that the World Health Organization last Monday stated the causal relationship of processed meats, as well as red meats, and cancer. The study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was conducted by 22 researchers after gathering some 800 studies associating meat and cancer.
The apprehending headline, particularly in the United States, which held the highest number of meat consumers, caused panic to a number of people. As a matter of fact, some even resulted to misinterpretations thereby pushing the agency to release an official statement last Thursday.
"WHO has received a number of queries, expressions of concern and requests for clarification following the publication of a report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) relating to processed meat and colorectal cancer. ... IARC's review confirms the recommendation in WHO's 2002 Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases report which advised people to moderate consumption of preserved meat to reduce the risk of cancer. The latest IARC review does not ask people to stop eating processed meats but indicates that reducing consumption of these products can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer."
As per IARC, the study only verified the WHO's 2002 report "Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases" that recommends moderate consumption of processed meat to decrease risk of getting cancer. The agency further clarified that they do not ask people to abstain from eating meat, but only to reduce consumption to lower risk for colorectal cancer.
"Early next year they will meet to begin looking at the public health implications of the latest science and the place of processed meat and red meat within the context of an overall healthy diet," WHO says.
The fury from consumers followed after preserved meats were categorized in the same level as cigarettes. Furthermore, it also stated that red meat if eaten regularly in large quantities could have a significant possibility of increasing cancer risk although further studies still need to be done.
Meanwhile, people had varied reactions, but mostly favoured bacons and sausage as #FreeBacon and # JeSuisBacon, which trended worldwide on the microblogging site Twitter.
