Parents urged to ditch the lunch box cancer risk

Parents are being warned again about the dangers of feeding their children processed meats.

UK scientists estimate that around 3,700 bowel cancer cases may be prevented if every year if people consumed less than 70g of processed meat every week.

A 70g portion of processed meat would only be the size of three rashers of bacon.

Ham, hot dogs, salami and some sausages are also being branded a health hazard.

The warnings come from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) ahead of the new school year.

Children’s Education Manager for WCRF, Marni Craze said: “If children have processed meat in their lunch every day then over the course of a school year they will be eating quite a lot of it. It is better if children learn to view processed meat as an occasional treat if it is eaten at all.

“We also need to do more to raise awareness of the issue, as a recent survey has shown that two thirds of people in Britain do not know that eating processed meat increases risk of cancer. This is despite the scientific evidence about a link being convincing.”

The charity aims to raise awareness of cancer that is preventable, helping people to make lifestyle choices that reduce their chances of developing the disease.

Current scientific research between processed food consumption and adult cancer shows that it makes sense for children to adopt a healthy eating pattern by the age of five.

The charity is advising parents to take processed meats and ham off of the menu and use poultry, low-fat cheese and houmous fillers instead.

For more information about healthy diets and cancer prevention, visit: www.greatgrubclub.com