PRESS RELEASE – NZ VEGETARIAN SOCIETY
28 October 2015
For Immediate Release
Red and Processed Meat causing Cancer – World Health Organisation Report
It’s been known for many years that there is a link between red meat and processed meat consumption and certain cancers.
It is reassuring that the World Health Organisation has evaluated the numerous studies around this subject and is
confident enough now in the correlation to issue a statement of warning to the public.
Dr Christopher Wild, Director of IARC, states “At the same time red meat has nutritional value.” While this is true, is
it also true that humans can live healthily without meat of any kind. All the nutrients necessary for human health can
be derived from a plant-based diet. *1
This being the case, it is interesting that authorities are so reluctant to recommend a vegetarian or vegan diet.
It would seem that the resistance from such a large proportion of the population to not eating meat is such that it’s
almost inconceivable to recommend not ingesting red meat, a “probable” carcinogen with strong mechanistic evidence
supporting a carcinogenic effect” *2.
Yet in the light of all these studies, and with the knowledge that we do not yet know all the possible impacts of meat
on human health, it seems prudent to recommend a significant reduction, or preferably complete avoidance, of meat
consumption.
The NZ Vegetarian Society is available to provide help and support to anyone wanting to reduce or eliminate meat and/or
other animal products.
Go to www.vegetarian.org.nz to download a free Information Booklet. Further tips and advice in monthly instalments is delivered upon new
membership. This includes information on which nutrients to pay particular attention to and where to find plant-based
sources of them.
*1 It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total
vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and
treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the
life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.
J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Jul;109(7):1266-82.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19562864
*2 World Health Organisation, International Agency for Research on Cancer Press Release 26.10.15
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