‘Cancer chemical in ham pointless’
CHEMICALS linked to cancer in processed ham and bacon do not need to be used, a leaked report has revealed.
Many of the meats on supermarket shelves contain nitrites – which are both a powerful preservative and are supposed to kill botulinum bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.
However, research for the British Meat Processors Association by the scientific consultancy Campden has revealed that nitrites do not attack the bug.
Some brands produce bacon, ham and sausages using traditional processes without the controversial chemicals.
But there are concerns that other food companies use nitrites because they maintain the meat’s pink colour, which is deemed to be more appealing for shoppers.
A 2015 study backed by the World Health Organisation first linked nitrite-cured processed meats to cancer.
Baroness Walmsley, vice-chairman of Parliament’s all-party group on cancer, said: ‘This evidence raises serious questions about why nitrites are being added to our bacon and ham.’