Regina consumers unsure WHO warning will impact their meat choices

Is the World Health Organization full of bologna or does it actually have legit beef in saying that those who eat a lot of processed meats like bacon, ham and sausage can significantly increase their risk of getting cancer?

The warning comes from the WHO’s cancer research branch in the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Those in Regina are taking the news with a grain of salt.

A number of local butchers aren’t too worried about the new information negatively affecting their businesses. They argue everything seems to cause cancer nowadays and in a short matter of time there could be new research indicating something different.

People outside grocery stores who spoke with News Talk Radio said they’re already pretty good at avoiding processed meats, even before learning the news from the WHO.

“I try to stay away from it just because I hear it’s not healthy for you. I try and stay on the healthy side,” explained Janae Prediger.

“If it’s backed up by research, like yeah, I’m probably going to cut back just in case of kind of thing.”

Alicia Sandu and her husband said they usually only eat meat once a week.

“I’d probably try to stay away from bacon more but that’s about the only processed meat that we eat at all,” she said. “I would try to if it has that serious of consequences.”

Many indicate the warning likely won’t drastically change their lives. They realize there can be a place in their diets for these types of foods, they just have to be in small quantities, and that wouldn’t be all that different from their eating habits now.