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Australian Pork marketer shakes off report claiming bacon and red meat cause cancer

Screen Shot 2015-10-27 at 10.18.51 AMOvernight research that exploded on mainstream and social media targeting pork – and bacon in particular – as a primary cause of cancer, has been shaken off by Australia’s pork marketing body.

The claims by the World Health Organisation suggest bacon, sausages, salamis and red meat in general is a significant cause of cancers, with the findings around bacon attracting particular attention on social media.

Despite the claims Peter Haydon, general manager marketing marketing manager of Australian Pork Limited, said there would be no shift in the company’s marketing plans or social media strategy.

“Anyone who says any individual thing stops a set of diseases or causes a set of diseases is drawing a rather long bow,” said Hagan.

“For us it comes down to common sense, we really maintain the same view as everyone else.”

He said moderation and a balanced diet was a key to good health.

Australian Pork recently completed a media review with Dentsu Mitchell retaining the business.

Meat & Livestock Australia has also reacted to the news directing enquiries to the Dieticians Association of Australia, which it works with closely, and echoed Australian Pork’s position on a balanced diet with a statement on its website.

“We are monitoring social media but it is hard to distinguish between joke postings and ones that are of concern,” said a spokesperson for MLA.

The MLA’s position is in contrast to the US meat industry which has slammed the cancer claims.

The WHO announcement also prompted a flood of bacon memes online:

bacon meme1BACON MEME 2BAcon meme 3

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