Processed meat

Processed meat refers to meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation. Most processed meats contain pork or beef, but processed meats may also contain other red meats, poultry, offal, or meat by-products such as blood.

Health effects

Epidemiological studies have shown that high consumption of processed meats increases the risk of certain diseases, including colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating that there is sufficient evidence that it can cause cancer in humans.

Production

The production of processed meat involves various methods such as curing, smoking, and fermenting. These methods are used to enhance the flavor of the meat and to increase its shelf life. The use of preservatives such as sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite is common in the production of processed meats.

Types of processed meats

There are many types of processed meats, including:

• Ham
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Hot dogs
• Salami
• Pepperoni
• Corned beef
• Bologna

See also

• Meat
• Red meat
• Food preservation
• Curing
• Smoking

References

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  Selection of processed meats
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  Nitrosyl-Heme