Did you see the headlines last week scrolling across the bottom of the news channels or being posted on line? The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in The Lancet that processed meats are "carcinogenic to humans" and ranked them in the top cancer risk category (the same category as asbestos, tobacco and arsenic). Processed meats include hot dogs, bacon, ham, sausages, corned beef, jerky, canned meats.....anything that's been salted, cured, fermented or smoked. Red meats such as beef, veal, lamb and pork were rated "2a - Probably causes cancer."
The American Institute for Cancer Research supports this research and hopes it will spread the message "that what we eat plays a role in cancer risk."
Those of us who follow a whole foods, plant-based diet have been talking about this for years. Hot dogs, bacon, and meat lovers pizza - with sausage and pepperoni - are constantly advertised on TV. And having recently attended a German Festival, believe me when I say that sausage is alive and well.
Will this report finally get people's attention? Or will the news be ignored while processed meats are even served at cancer fundraisers? I'm praying for the former.