The World Health Organisation says that its recent report on the dangers of processed meat was misinterpreted and it is not trying to stop people eating bacon, ham and sausages.
The WHO published a report last Monday that said that processed meat was as big a cancer threat as tobacco.
Gregory Härtl, a spokesman for WHO, told The Irish Times that the message – as well as the one that stated red meat was a ‘probable carcinogenic’ – was not properly distributed.
“We’re not saying stop eating processed meats altogether. Do not cut out meats completely as it has nutrients,” he said.
“But we do not want to do anything to excess. Research indicates reducing your consumption of processed meats can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.”
Härtl admitted it was a shortcoming the report to equate processed meat with tobacco.
“We do not want to compare tobacco and meat because we know that no level of tobacco is safe,” he said.
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