A controversial dietary guidelines recommendation published in annals of internal medicine suggests that adults can continue to consume red meat and processed meat at current levels of intake. By choosing to consume moderate amounts of properlyprepared, pastureraised animal products, your choices demonstrate respect for the environment, the animals and the hardworking farmers who raise them, and perhaps most importantly, for your own health. However, there are still a number of gaps in the current knowledge that should be investigated. The impact of red and processed meat consumption on cancer. These assessments will be published as volume 114 of the iarc monographs. Consumption of red meats meats of mammalian origin including beef, pork, and lamb and processed meats meats transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation has been increasing rapidly worldwide. Pdf carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. The who and the american institute for cancer research aicr now recommend limits in consumption of these meats. Processed red meat is any type that is preserved by smoking, curing, salting, airdrying, heating, etc, and includes ham, bacon, sausages, tinned meat, etc. Red meat is probably a carcinogenic experts warn as. Iarc is the cancer agency of the world health organization. As you know, in 2018 iarc published monograph volume 114 that classified the consumption of processed meat as carcinogenic to humans.
Red meat and processed meat consumption and cancerred and. Unprocessed red meat and processed meat consumption. Both processed and red meat increase the risk for colon cancer17% per 100 gday of red meat and 18% per 50 gday of processed meat 26. The decision for red meat has been taken based on limited evidence that the consumption of red meat causes cancer in humans and strong mechanistic evidence supporting a carcinogenic effect, while that was processed meat was based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red meat and processed. Iarc monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat. Our processed meat looks significantly different to processed meats found in other countries, i.
Although meat is consumed on a regular basis by the majority of the population, there is concern raised by many observational studies that high intake of red and or processed meat is associated with chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a variety of cancers klurfeld, 2015. Iarc publications website red meat and processed meat. Humans have hunted and killed animals for meat since prehistoric times. The substances responsible of this potential carcinogenicity would be generated during meat processing, such as curing and smoking, or when meat is heated at high temperatures nnitrosocompounds. Who has a standing group of experts who regularly evaluate the links between diet and disease. In october 26, 2015, the international agency for research on cancer iarc issued a press release informing of the recent evaluation of the carcinogenicity of red and processed meat consumption. Processed meat includes hot dogs, ham, bacon, sausage, and some deli meats. Processed meats are carcinogenic to humans, says who. In multivariableadjusted cox proportional hazards models, after careful adjustment for smoking and unhealthy diet, we observed a positive association between processed meat intake and the risk of copd. Eating meat in america the pursuit university of michigan. Consumption of red and processed meat and elevated risk of. Iarc evaluates consumption of red meat and processed meat lyon, france, 26 october 2015 the international agency for research on cancer iarc, the cancer agency of the world health organization, has evaluated the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat. The consumption of meat varies greatly between countries, with from a few percent up to 100% of people eating red meat, depending on the country, and somewhat lower proportions eating processed meat. Jan 17, 2018 meat can be part of a healthy, environmentallyconscious diet.
There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of consumption of red meat and of processed meat. Red meat and processed meat iarc working group on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans 2015. These trends can have major health and environmental consequences. Improving the sustainability of global meat and milk. Jun 05, 2017 that frequent consumption of processed meat carries a recognized and avoidable risk to public health to which consumers should be alerted. The consumption of red and processed meat has recently been associated to cancer, with red meat classified as probably carcinogenic and processed meat as carcinogenic international agency. Nov 19, 2019 contemporary dietary guidelines recommend limiting consumption of unprocessed red meat and processed meat. An indication of how the intake of potential carcinogenic compounds in red meat and processed meat may be reduced, and the possibility of eating other foods with a protective. A working group of 22 experts from 10 countries convened by iarc classified the consumption of red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans and processed meat as carcinogenic to humans according to the global burden of disease project, about 34 000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are attributable to diets high in processed meat. Nioshtic2 publications search 20039011 consumption of. Processed meat is usually composed of pork or beef, but also poultry, while it can also contain offal or meat byproducts such as blood.
The consumption of red meat and processed meat was. The increased risks were statistically significant. Lyon, france iarc monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. This eventually led to their use in meat production on an industrial scale with the aid of slaughterhouses. Red meat and processed meat consumption cancer trends. Owing to its cultural diversity, the food in indian. Red and processed meat consumption and risk of incident coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus. Although this message is not new, two aspects of this report stood out leading to it being widely reported in the media. Eating processed meats like hotdogs, sausages, and bacon causes bowel cancer, while the consumption of red meats, including beef, pork, veal, and lamb, is probably carcinogenic, an international. In summary, after 18 months of the press release of the iarc 2015 on the carcinogenicity of consumption of red meat and processed meat, most new publications clearly support that decision. Wallace, dariush mozaffarian, circulation,online may 17, 2010. A summary of the evaluations has now been published in the lancet oncology. Red meat, processed meat and cancer in south africa.
There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of consumption of processed meat. In parallel, hypotheses on carcinogenic mechanisms underlying an association between crc and the intake of red and processed red meat have been proposed and investigated in biological studies. Positive associations have been observed between consumption of processed meat and cancer of the stomach. Likewise, iarc have put eating nonprocessed red meat into their group 2a, which means that they are considered probably carcinogenic to humans. Meat, fish and dairy products and the risk of cancer. However, more research is needed to understand how red meat and processed meats influence cancer risk. Press release on the iarc monograph carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat the european meat manufacturing industry considers it inappropriate to attribute any single factor to an increased risk of cancer.
Examples of processed meat include hot dogs, sausages, bacon, and luncheon meats. News processed meat is carcinogenic, and probably red meat as well. Daily consumption of 85 grams of red meat and 35 grams of processed red meat products by european and american consumers increased their risk of type 2 diabetes by 1836%, while a diet of abstinence of red meat consuming whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and. The consumption of red meat and processed meat was classified as probably carcinogenic to humans, and as carcinogenic to humans, respectively. International agency for research on cancer monograph working group. This volume of the iarc monographs provides evaluations of the consumption of red meat and the consumption of processed meat red meat refers to unprocessed mammalian muscle meat e. Pahowho iarc evaluates consumption of red meat and. Members looked at the evidence and advised the government to make a guideline to limit consumption of red and processed meat. Benefits and risks of red meat by marsha mcculloch, ms, rd, ld, ln. The advent of civilization allowed the domestication of animals such as chickens, sheep, rabbits, pigs and cattle. Processed meat is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, and evidence also suggests it is associated with stomach cancer.
The experts concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. World health organization says processed meat causes cancer. Red meat including beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse and goat was classified as probably carcinogenic to humans based on limited evidence that is consumption cancercausing. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. Jan 04, 2016 to end 2015, the world health organization who released a report stating that red meat was potentially cancerous, while processed meat was a known cause of colorectal cancer. The majority of south africans consume mostly chicken, then beef, followed by pork, lamb or mutton and then processed meat bfap, 2015. Earlier evidence of a significant increase in the risk of colorectal cancer from consumption of red and particularly processed meat has been reinforced by the inclusion of more recent studies. Reduction of meat consumption is an important approach to. Organization monograph evaluating the carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. To end 2015, the world health organization who released a report stating that red meat was potentially cancerous, while processed meat was a known cause of colorectal cancer.
Bouvard v1, loomis d1, guyton kz1, grosse y1, ghissassi fe1, benbrahimtallaa l1, guha n1, mattock h1, straif k1. The consumption of red and processed meat has been associated with increased mortality from chronic diseases, and red and processed meat have been declared by the world health organization to be carcinogenic processed meat and probably carcinogenic red meat to humans 36,17,19,24,25. For example, the 20152020 dietary guidelines for americans recommend limiting red meat intake, including processed meat, to approximately 1 weekly serving. A startling report by an international team of scientists suggests that processed meats like hotdogs and bacon are a definite cause of cancer, while red meat is a probable cause. Animal foods such as meat and fish may be processed before consumption by smoking, curing, salting or by adding. Processed meat is carcinogenic, and probably red meat as. Research on cancer iarc had classified the consumption of both red and processed meats as carcinogenic to humans bouvard et al. Consumption of fresh red meat and processed meat seemed to be associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer. Only one substance, a chemical in yoga pants, has been declared by the. Agency for research on cancer iarc in lyon, france, to evaluate the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat. They concluded that there was evidence of a link between eating strong processed meat and increased risk of bowel cancer and advise eating very little, if any, processed meat in its cancer prevention recommendations.
Contemporary dietary guidelines recommend limiting consumption of unprocessed red meat and processed meat. Dec 11, 2015 this report from the iarc states the relationship of red meat and processed meat to cancer. Red meat refers to all mammalian muscle meat, including, beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton. Consumption of all meat and red meat was associated with 27% and 30% higher risk, respectively. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat, bouvard v, loomis d, guyton kz, et al. Iarc monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and. A selection of uncooked red meat and poultry meat is animal flesh that is eaten as food. In south africa sa there is a great variation in the incidence of this type of cancer between various ethnic groups, related to diet and other risk factors. First, the report stated that each 50g portion of processed meat eaten daily increased the risk of colorectal cancer by a substantial. Processed meat was classified carcinogenic to humansas group 1, based on sufficient evidencein humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer. Request pdf carcinogenicity of consumption of red meat and processed meat. Potential carcinogenic compounds in red and processed meat. Potential carcinogenic compounds in red and processed meat 25.
Methods of meat processing include salting, curing, fermentation, and smoking. Processed meat is defined as products usually made of red meat that are cured, salted or smoked e. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red meat and processed meat. And it has classified red meat as a probable carcinogen, something that probably causes cancer. It refers to meat that has been treated in some way to preserve or flavor it. Benefits and risks of red meat todays dietitian magazine. Conditions for red meat intake resulting in reduced cancer risk. The report said that processed red meat was carcinogenic to humans and fresh red meat was probably carcinogenic. Consumption of processed meat causes cancer of the colorectum.
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. Consumption of foods such as red meat and fish generally increases with economic development, whereas consumption of dairy products is variable, particularly in asia where many populations are lactose intolerant. The results may have been affected by the definition of red meat, which includes processed meat in some of the american cohorts. It is a very complex subject that may be dependent on a combination of many other factors such as age, genetics. The international agency for research on cancer iarc, the cancer agency of the world health organization, has evaluated the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat. Although the majority of epidemiologic data comes from casecontrol studies, largescale prospective cohort studies are being conducted with increased frequency, thereby facilitating a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the relationship between meat consumption and many types of cancer. It is essential that nutrition and healthrelated functionality of foods are included in evaluations of sustainable food production. Who links between processed meat and colorectal cancer.
Pdf carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed. Mechanisms behind cancer risks associated with consumption of. But all that means is that the evidence they cause cancer is a bit weaker than for the things in group 1. A range of chemical compounds associated with red meat andor processed meat may pose a. Most processed meats contain pork or beef, but processed meats may also contain other red meats, poultry, offal, or meat byproducts such as blood.
Dairy foods, red meat and processed meat in the diet. Coupled with a moderation of excessive meat consumption in wealthier countries, such strategies may secure the longterm sustainability of meat and milk production and mitigate against the adverse health effects of excessive intake. Increased consumption of all meat, red meat, poultry, and processed meat is associated with an increase risk of kidney cancer. Red meat refers to all mammalian muscle meat, including, beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse, and goat. Similarly, united kingdom dietary guidelines endorse limiting the intake of both red and processed meat to 70 gd. Consumption of red meat is probably carcinogenic to humans group 2a. Oct 27, 2015 the consumption of meat varies greatly between countries, with from a few percent up to 100% of people eating red meat, depending on the country, and somewhat lower proportions eating processed meat. Processed meat intake and risk of chronic obstructive. A recent metaanalysis evaluating 14 studies on red meat and 11 studies on processed meat concluded that there was an absence of an association between red meat intake and bladder cancer, but suggested that high consumption of processed meat probably correlated with rising risk of. New guidelines say continue red meat consumption habits. Who cancer experts say eating processed meat can cause bowel cancer, and that red meat is a probable cause of the disease.
Processed meat is considered to be any meat which has been modified in order either to improve its taste or to extend its shelf life. Red meat is probably a carcinogenic experts warn as processed meat officially listed as cancer risk red meat which includes beef, lamb and pork has been classified as. Red meat includes all fresh, minced and frozen beef, veal, pork and lamb. Press release on the iarc monograph carcinogenicity of. Consumption of chicken and fish did not increase risk. Lyon, france, 26 october 2015 the international agency for research on cancer iarc, the cancer agency of the world health organization, has the carcinogenicity of evaluated the consumption of red meat and processed meat. Consumption of red and processed meat and elevated risk. The world health organization who declared today that red meat falls into the category of compounds that are probably carcinogenic to humans, group 2a, while processed. Red meat, according to the who through the international agency for research on cancer iarc 38, 39, was classified as a group 2a. They did not do this, but this was the advice based upon evidence.