IARC evaluates consumption of red meat and processed meat.

Red and processed meat may be carcinogenic to humans.

This research work was carried out to determine the carcinogenic effect of red and processed meat. A team of 22 experts assembled by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), reviewed relevant published literatures on the relationship between red and processed meat consumption and cancer risk.

The researchers observed high incidence of colorectal cancer in individuals who consumed large quantities of red and processed meat. High pancreatic and prostate cancer risk was also strongly linked to high consumption of red meat. At the end of review, the team of experts classified red meat and processed meat as probably carcinogenic (Group 2A) and carcinogenic (Group 1A) to humans respectively.