Meat is murder…ing you!

Yes the meat processing industry is under pressure again. With the horse meat scandal dragging on and on, we now learn that it’s not the horse that’s the problem. The shock news is that a major European study has shown links between processed and cured meats and an early death. It almost put me off my morning fry-up …

Is this really such a shock?

If somebody said to you their diet was based around processed meat products you wouldn’t think “now that sounds healthy, I’ll try it myself”. Nobody thinks a hot dog is one of your 5 a day.

The quantities that the study says affect you are a bit worrying. All it takes is 160g (approximately 2 sausages and a slice of bacon) a day to increase your chances of dying by 44% over the next 12-13 years. The products listed, which include bacon, ham and salami, all sound quite innocent and (especially ham) are taken for granted. Not many people would consider them to be any sort of health risk, happily sending young Jonny off to school with a ham sandwich in his lunchbox.

So as consumers what are we to do?

It’s all very well telling people to cut down on their consumption of processed products and go for better quality fresh meat, but the fact is these products are cheap and readily available. That’s a major consideration for many families who simply can’t afford to buy high quality meat, and many also don’t have the time or inclination to cook fresh meals every night. Moderation is the key and learning how to cook some basic healthy meals would help. However I fear peoples eating habits are not easily changed, and although we are told a Mediterranean diet is the best for you, not many people will want to or be pushed into taking it up in our cold Northern climes. Trying to rapidly change the food habits of a nation is a nigh on impossible challenge, unless all of these “unhealthy” products are banned and thus people are forced into healthier eating. Although I think that would be taking things a little too far.

Not everyone, dear reader, has an interest in food like you and I…

I feel my diet is suitably varied, but they will have to prise my fried breakfast from my cold dead hand. So for me I’m taking this report with a moderate pinch of salt (or perhaps a low sodium alternative). However all this negative news regarding processed and pre-packed meats has pushed me to sign up for a butchery course at Allens of Mayfair, to brush up on my skills and learn how to get more from fresh meat. I look forward to telling you all about it once I’ve been… To see the study in full go here - BMC Medicine. Has this news got you running to the veg aisle at the supermarket, or do you see this as just another scare to be best ignored?