A health cleaver on processed meat

1. A Health Cleaver on
Processed Meat
Hit by Maggi row, food cos now see red as
WHO labels processed meats carcinogenic

2. Contd…
The food industry, which is barely recovering from the Maggi incident, could
take another hit after the World Health Organization said consumption of
processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham causes cancer, listing
them in the same category as cigarettes and alcohol.Processed meat was
classified as carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence that
consumption causes colorectal cancer, the International Agency for Research
on Cancer, a WHO agency, said in a statement on Monday. The agency also
said the consumption of red meat was “probably carcinogenic to humans“.
“Just saying that processed meats cause cancer will confuse consumers more
than solving any issue,“ said Rajiv Jaisinghani, managing director of Darshan
Foods. “These specifications are not valid for India, but such blanket
guidelines will impact consumption sentiment even though red meat
consumption is very limited in the country,“ said Rajiv Jaisinghani of Darshan
Foods, which sells processed packaged meats brand Meatzza.

3. Contd…
A working group of 22 experts from 10 countries concluded that each 50 gram portion of
processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%, WHO said.
Sellers of processed meats prolong shelf life by curing or smoking them and adding
preservatives, which increases cancer risk.
“The processed foods sector is still reeling under the Maggi impact -we can do without
this,“ said the top official of a leading frozen processed meat com pany. The WHO experts
considered more than 800 studies that investigated associations of more than a dozen
types of cancer with the consumption of red meat or processed meat in many countries
and populations with diverse diets.
“Though red meat consumption is only about 20% in India, which is dominated by chicken
consumption when it comes to non-veg foods, declaring red meat as a health risk will
negatively impact consumption sentiment even among the limited set of consumers. In an
industry that's emerging, this is regulation when it's not required,“ the head of a leading
meat supplier said. The processed frozen non-vegetarian industry in India is estimated at
about Rs 500 crore and includes names such as Al Kabeer, Meatzza, Sumeru, Venky's and
Godrej Yummiez.

4. NORMS RELEVANT FOR OTHER MARKETS
“Norms such as these are relevant for markets like the US.These are not necessarily
applicable to a largely vegetarian diet which Indians follow,“ said the chief executive
of a company that markets frozen meat and vegetarian foods.
While chicken constitutes over 80% of the processed meat industry in India, the
remainder consists of mutton, lamb and pork. The companies pointed out that
meat has its benefits.
“The weather in India and our exposure to such products do not warrant such
action by the authorities for the Indian market as meat is also a source of protein
and other vitamins that are essential in a healthy diet,“ Jaisinghani said.
WHO said it is important to balance the risks and benefits of eating red meat and
processed meat. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations, India's consumption of meat is 10% of the world average and among the
lowest globally.

5. Contd…
“We have not seen the WHO report and hence cannot comment on the
contents,“ said Arabind Das, chief operating officer of Godrej Tyson
Foods. “Godrej Tyson has a vertically integrated poultry business with
feeds sourced locally from our own plants and the birds are reared
under veterinary supervision...It contains no preservatives or added
colour.“ While the association of red meat consumption and cancer was
based on limited evidence and observed mainly for colorectal cancer,
associations were also seen for pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer,
WHO said.

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