Processed meat is considered any meat which has been modified in order either to improve its taste or extend its shelf life. Methods of meat processing are "
salting,
curing,
fermentation,
smoking or other processes" according to
IARC. Processed meat is usually composed of
pork or
beef, but also
poultry, while it can also contain offal or
meat by-products such as
blood. Processed meat products include
bacon,
ham,
hotdogs,
sausages,
salami,
corned beef,
beef jerky,
canned meat and meat-based sauces.
IARC at the
World Health Organization classifies processed meat as a
Group 1, carcinogenic to humans, since it has found sufficient evidence that consumption of processed meat by humans causes
colorectal cancer. Meat processing includes all the processes which are changing fresh meat with the exception of simple mechanical processing such as cutting, grinding or mixing.