Experts Demand Government Action Regarding Processed Meats

The UK government is being urged to act on the risks associated with processed meat consumption. Food and health experts and politicians have joined forces and released a statement requesting the UK government to increase awareness of the dangers of processed meats. According to the group, although there are campaigns that warn of the dangers of products high in fat and sugar, the public remains in the dark about the risks of eating processed meats. The group claims that experts generally agree that nitrite / ˈnaɪˌtraɪt /, a chemical used in making processed meats, creates a cancer-causing compound called nitrosamines. Regular consumption of meats with nitrites leads to a high risk of cancer, particularly bowel cancer. Processed meats were categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015 as group one carcinogens, or items that cause certain cancer types. In fact, 34,000 cancer-induced deaths in the world annually have been linked to the consumption of processed meats. Evidence suggests that nitrite-treated meats are also the cause of over 6,000 cases of bowel cancer in the United Kingdom yearly. Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a member of the group, called out those in the food business who continue to disregard the health risks of processed meats. He also dismissed arguments claiming that nitrites are essential for meat preservation. According to Malhotra, companies such as Nestlé and Finnebrogue were able to successfully produce nitrite-free processed meats. Malhotra’s group believes that lawmakers, people in the food industry, and those involved in cancer care should work collectively to raise awareness among consumers. The group is also pushing for safer and more natural alternatives that can reduce cancer cases.