World Health Organisation (WHO) publishes a report on the dangers of eating processed meats and ranked processed meat as ‘carcinogenic to humans’, the highest of five possible rankings, shared with alcohol, asbestos, arsenic and cigarettes.

The health organization announced that 50g of processed meat per day – the equivalent of one sausage or less than two slices of bacon – increases the chance of developing bowel cancer by 18%.

According to the report, bacon, ham and sausages have been ranked an equal cancer threat to cigarettes.

Fresh red meat is ranked on the next level, as a “probable” carcinogen adding though, that there are some benefits from consuming red meat.