Hot Dogs, Bacon, and Sausage Linked to Cancer, Says WHO

Hot dogs have become a staple cuisine in America. According to some estimates, Americans consume upwards of 20 billion hot dogs per year. They are delicious, easy to cook, and can be dressed up in a variety of different ways. However, you may want to think twice before eating a hot dog, because the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared them to be carcinogenic.

In a shocking new report, WHO officials have classified the consumption of processed meat as being cancer-causing to humans. That's a pretty bold statement to say the least. But is there any truth to this statement? And if so, does this mean you should avoid eating hot dogs and other forms of processed meats?

Let's first discuss the term "processed meat" as defined by WHO. When speaking in the context of this report, WHO has said that processed meat is any type of meat that's been modified for the purpose of prolonging its shelf life. This may include smoking and curing meats so they don't spoil as quickly as fresh meat.

For the study, nearly two dozen scientists were recruited by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer. WHO officials asked them to asses the link (if any) between 17 different types of cancer and the consumption of processed meat and red meat. The scientific panel spent nearly a month examining more than 800 independent studies involving residents in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Japan, and other regions throughout the world.

The new investigation involved 22 scientists who were invited by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer to assess the association between more than 16 types of cancer and the consumption of red meat and processed meat.

The greatest risk posed by the consumption of processed meat, according to the report, was that of colorectal cancer, which is the second most deadly form of cancer in the U.S. and is attributed to some 50,000 deaths per year. Researchers also found a link between the consumption of processed meat and stomach cancer, although to a smaller degree.

Just how serious is the cancer risk posed by processed meat? The scientific panel placed processed meat into its group 1 of carcinogens, meaning it has the same risk level as tobacco smoking and asbestos. Consumption of non-processed red meat (e.g. steaks, burgers, lamb chops) was classified in group 2A, which is the same category as exposure to lead.