AMI Disputes Link to Red Meat, Bowel Cancer

WASHINGTONThe American Meat Institute (AMI) is challenging the May 23 report from the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Researchs (WCRF/AICR) linking the consumption of red and processed meat with an increased risk of bowel cancer. The report also concluded evidence supporting foods containing fiber protect against bowel cancer has become stronger.

The report, released as part of World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Researchs (WCRF/AICR) Continuous Update Project (CUP), examined the links between bowel cancer risk and diet, physical activity and weight, and updated the bowel cancer findings of the WCRF/AICRs 2007 Expert Report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective."

For red and processed meat, findings of 10 new studies were added to the 14 studies analyzed as part of the 2007 Report. WCRF/AICR recommended people limit consumption to 500g (cooked weight) of red meat a weekthe equivalent of five or six medium portions of roast beef, lamb or porkand avoid processed meat.

AMI contends the recommendation to limit red and processed meat intake are not supported by the full evidence and conflict with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which say that red and processed meat can be a healthy part of balanced diet.

While WCRF is claiming these studies strengthen their recommendations, in reality, they simply increase the reports shortcomings," said AMI Foundation President James H. Hodges. Adding more weak studies to a weak report does not make a strong, comprehensive and authoritative report as they claim."  

Hodges noted that an examination of the 10 additional studies showed no strong evidence of any increased risk of bowel/colorectal cancer.

Given the weak, scientific underpinnings of this report and the fact that Americans are consuming the proper amount of red and processed meats according to government data, Americans should follow common sense, which says a balanced diet with exercise is best," he said. The headlines on todays press release are little more than warmed over recommendations from a report that was widely critiqued in 2007."

The expert panel behind the CUPs judgments also concluded that the evidence that foods containing dietary fiber reduce bowel cancer risk has become stronger since the publication of the 2007 report. They considered the evidence sufficient to strengthen the conclusion that foods containing fiber protect against bowel cancer from probable" to convincing." This strengthens WCRF/AICRs recommendation for people to consume a plant-based diet including foods containing fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans.