WHO Says Public Not Asked to Stop Eating Processed Meat

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

The World Health Organization clarified that its recent report "does not ask people to stop eating processed meats but indicates that reducing consumption of these products can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer."

The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen last week, meaning that there is "sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans," particularly regarding colorectal cancer. An estimated 34,000 worldwide deaths annually are attributed to high processed meat consumption. They report that every 50 g (1.8 oz.) of processed meat eaten daily is associated with an 18% increased relative risk for developing colorectal cancer.

Red meat received a lower classification, Group 2a, which means it is "probably carcinogenic to humans."

In early 2016, a group within the WHO will examine how and whether processed and red meat fit into a healthy diet.