Today was a good day for vegans, vegtarians, raw foodists and even raw food hypocrites like me. Every Sunday newspaper in the UK has reported on the ‘advice’ due to be released by The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommending that we eat less meat. While the equivalent of three rashers of bacon a day still seems like a lot to me – surely we are merely a stone’s throw from being ‘advised’ to be completely raw…
While the full report will be issued in a few days with the full advice and basis for it – here is the article I’ve copied from today’s Independent.
Britons should cut their consumption of red and processed meat to reduce the risk of bowel cancer, scientific experts are expected to recommend in a report.
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) was asked by the Department of Health to review dietary advice on meat consumption as a source of iron.
In a draft report published in June 2009 the committee of independent experts said lower consumption of red and processed meat would probably reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
The committee said: “Although the evidence is not conclusive, as a precaution, it may be advisable for intakes of red and processed meat not to increase above the current average (70g/day) and for high consumers of red and processed meat (100g/day or more) to reduce their intakes.”
A daily total of 70g is equivalent to about three rashers of bacon.
The Sunday Telegraph said the full report, to be published within days, was expected to echo the committee’s draft report.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “The DH committee of independent experts on nutrition will shortly publish their final report on iron and health.”
The World Cancer Research Fund already recommends people limit their intake of red meat, including pork, beef, lamb and goat, to 500g a week.
The fund also advises consumers to avoid too much processed meat, including hot dogs, ham, bacon and some sausages and burgers.
The Telegraph goes further to reiterate that ‘links between red meat and cancer, which have been suggested by a series of scientific studies, have provoked long-running controversy.
In 2005, a European study found those who regularly ate 160g (5.6oz) of red meat a day increased their risk of bowel cancer by one third.
High consumption of red and processed meat has also been linked to many other cancers, including that of the breast, bladder, stomach and digestive organs, but the evidence is weaker.’
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