A bitter row has broken out between members of the British meat industry and the World Cancer Research Fund over whether red meat increases the risk of bowel cancer. What do we know about this link? The WCRF says the evidence that red and processed meats increase the risk of colorectal cancer is ‘convincing’, and since 2007 – when it published a major report on lifestyle and cancer – has urged the public to limit their consumption of steak and sausages. These conclusions, claim an array of organisations representing meat producers, are flawed. They point to a number of independent scientists who have questioned the conviction with which the link between red meat and cancer was presented in the report. The WCRF has published a list of ‘minor errors’ with the report – some relating to the findings on red meat and bowel cancer – but says it has no intention of altering the conclusions based on an expert panel’s review of the scientific literature. According to the recommendations, red meat should be consumed in modest amounts, and salami and ham should almost always be avoided. Veggies’ risk This latest spat is driven by […]