UK Expert Calls for Ban on Nitrates and Nitrites in Processed Meats Amidst Rising Cancer Cases

Professor Chris Elliott OBE, a former government food safety adviser, has called for a ban on nitrates and nitrites in processed meats, stating that thousands of lives could be saved by removing these cancer-causing additives.

Elliott, based at Queen's University Belfast, contends that these preservatives, added to processed meats like bacon and ham to prevent bacterial growth and maintain color, can form cancerous compounds in the gut. Studies suggest these additives are linked to 5,400 bowel cancer cases annually in the UK.

This warning comes as diagnoses of bowel cancer are increasing significantly among young Britons, with cases rising by more than 50 percent since the 1990s. The disease is responsible for approximately 17,700 deaths each year in the UK.

While the European Union has imposed stricter limits on these additives, the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) previously concluded that the evidence linking nitrates and nitrites to cancer was inconclusive. Professor Elliott criticized the FSA's assessment, asserting that key studies demonstrating the harm of these compounds were overlooked. He noted that the FSA's review excluded animal studies on the subject.

"There is a very strong link between consumption of these chemicals in processed meats and bowel cancer," Elliott stated in a BBC Panorama documentary. He added that the EU is moving towards eliminating these additives, while the UK regulator maintains there is insufficient evidence to warrant action.

Elliott previously participated in an analysis that linked these chemicals to over 50,000 bowel cancer cases in a decade. This aligns with a 2015 World Health Organization report that classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen.

In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated that food safety assessments, including the use of additives, are the responsibility of the FSA. The department also highlighted its National Cancer Plan, aimed at advancing cancer research and treatment.

Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor for the FSA, affirmed that the use of nitrite and nitrate additives is strictly regulated with maximum safety limits. He noted that industry is required to use only the necessary amounts for food safety. Young acknowledged public concern but stated that health risks are associated with red and processed meat overall, not exclusively the nitrites or nitrates used in processing. He recommended a diet rich in fiber and wholegrains, alongside healthy lifestyle changes, to reduce bowel cancer risk. The FSA advises that the safest way to reduce risk is to consume less red and processed meat.

Separately, a large-scale trial led by King's College London is recruiting 250,000 participants to investigate the rising rates of bowel cancer in individuals under 50. The study will explore various factors, including diet, lifestyle, gut health, and environmental exposures, as researchers seek to understand the driving forces behind this increase. Bowel cancer remains more common in older individuals, but the rise in younger adults has prompted this extensive investigation.