The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a WHO agency, plans a meeting from Oct. 6-13 in Lyon, France, to discuss red meat and processed meat. The agency captured broad attention earlier this year with its conclusion that glyphosate, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, is probably carcinogenic to humans. Quartz says the meat industry “is bracing for the worst.” It says, “In April 2014, the IARC cited studies linking red and processed meats to colorectal, esophageal, lung, and pancreatic cancer, and called determining the connection a ‘high priority.’” A meat industry official says an IARC listing of “possibly carcinogenic to humans” would be a victory,” compared to other possible and more adverse classifications. Quartz, though, says such a determination would mean people should eat less meat, which is not a palatable outcome for the industry.
The IARC says its classification system evaluates cancer hazards, “meaning the potential for the exposure to cause cancer,” but “it does not indicate the level of risk associated with exposure …. The distinction between hazard and risk is important.” IARC says it identifies cancer hazards even when risks are very low at current levels of exposure in case new uses or unforeseen exposure could engender new risks.