Parents are being warned again about the dangers of feeding their children processed meats.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A 70g portion of processed meat would only be the size of three rashers of bacon.<\/p>\n
Ham, hot dogs, salami and some sausages are also being branded a health hazard.<\/p>\n
The warnings come from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) ahead of the new school year.<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s Education Manager for WCRF, Marni Craze said: \u201cIf 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n