The World Health Organization (WHO) has offered a clarification on its recommendations regarding meat consumption following media and consumer uproar last week after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report on red and processed meats.
“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,” according to the statement.
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) reports the following:
• In the Irish Times, WHO spokesperson Gregory Hartl said, “Eating healthily means eating a balanced diet, too much of anything is not good. He also said, “We do not want to compare tobacco and meat because we know that no level of tobacco is safe.”
• On Twitter, WHO said, “Meat provides a number of essential nutrients and, when consumed in moderation, has a place in a healthy diet.”
According to NAMI, the WHO said it will look at processed meats and red meat within the context of an overall healthy diet in 2016.