California is analyzing the findings of a new World Health Organization (WHO) report that linked meats such as bacon, salami, hot dogs, and sausage to cancer, and stated that red meat might also be carcinogenic. The Golden State will determine if it should add red and processed meats to its cancer-alert list, which could result in a battle with the United States meat industry about warning labels.
WHO reported that eating more meat results in higher risks of colon-rectal cancer. However, the meat industry argued that its various products are safe for consumption if people eat a well-balanced diet.
If the West Coast state adds foods such as beef and Spam to the list it could lower consumer demand. That would then hurt big meat-processing companies such as Hormel Foods Corp. It could also cause consumers to sue meat companies after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
In 1986 California passed Proposition 65. It requires the state to keep a list of all substances and chemicals that have been scientifically proven to clearly increase cancer, according to Business Insider.
The meat industry is sure that it will not be forced to add warning labels to packages of hot dogs and bacon. That is based on a 2009 California court ruling that gave the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authority over meat labels in USDA-inspected plants.
Jim Coughlin is a consultant to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He said that California's meat will never be labeled, but processed meats will likely be added to the state's Proposition 65 list.
Italian food groups are also reacting negatively to the WHO report. The Coldiretti farming association referred to it as "meat terrorism," according to Times of Malta.
California has a history of consumer-based drives. It passed laws for bigger chicken cages and fewer livestock antibiotics before most other states.
Here is a recap of the recent WHO report: