Kingsbridge

Butchers in Kingsbridge say they have seen little difference in sales despite warnings that eating too much bacon and ham could cause cancer.

A recent report, commissioned by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), revealed that processed meats such as ham, bacon and salami increased the risk of bowel cancer.

According to the study, people should stop eating processed meats and should also limit the consumption of red meat to 500g a week.

But Andrew Maunder, commercial director of Lloyd Maunder Ltd, believes the findings will have little impact on sales of red and processed meats.

He said: "Red meat and processed meats such as bacon and ham are a mainstay of the British diet and, despite the findings of this report, we're not anticipating a huge reduction in our shop sales of either.

"However, unlike supermarkets, in our shops customers are able to speak direct to our Master Butchers and specialised staff to find out about meats and cuts that are low in fat, or indeed ask for fat to be trimmed off.

Andrew Maunder, Lloyd Maunder Ltd: "Red meat and processed meats such as bacon and ham are a mainstay of the British diet and, despite the findings of this report, we're not anticipating a huge reduction in our shop sales of either."

"Overall, I think we need to be realistic and focus on encouraging consumption in moderation, which is all part of having a healthy diet."

Lloyd Maunder Ltd own and operate a chain of 15 high street butchers shops in Devon and Cornwall, including one in Kingsbridge.

Tristan Lilburn, a 22-year-old butcher from Loddiswell, said: "I always recommend to our customers to eat the best quality meat available. The WCRF report will not change this. People just need to eat a balanced diet. We have not yet seen a reduction in sales of red meat and processed meats."

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have also expressed caution over the findings.

"The odd hamburger is fine, but if you live on a diet of junk food ... the message has been clear for years and years. I think for people who are eating too much of a particular type of food, if you have bacon sandwiches every day for lunch or pepperami at every single juncture," said an NFU spokeswoman.

"We'd recommend people eat the best quality. As far as we're concerned [this report] doesn't change much from the current guidelines. If you eat fresh, good-quality food, you will be absolutely fine."

A spokeswoman for the FSA added: "While we are definitely interested in seeing the report, our current advice is to eat a healthy balanced diet and not cut out any food groups.

"People should not be worrying about what they eat, they should be enjoying what they eat."

Kingsbridge residents were equally dismissive.

Chris Heard, 45, who lives in Rack Park Road, said the WCRF report would not stop him eating his beloved bacon butties.

"Every other week a new study comes out about what you can and cannot eat - the story always changes," he said. "All my life I've eaten bacon and hamburgers and I won't stop now."

"This report is totally rubbish. I love bacon and will not be put off by these findings," said Chris Duffy, 22.

Sue Gibbens, 56, another Kingsbridge resident who enjoys a bacon buttie, said: "If you believed everything you read in the newspapers then you would not eat anything. Scare stories appear daily and should be taken with a large pinch of salt. I will carry on eating bacon and ham."

But her husband, Richard, 58, was a little more cautious. He said: "It depends how reliable the research is. I pay great attention to what I eat, anyway, and if there is 100 per cent proof that eating bacon and ham causes bowel cancer, then I would certainly consider stopping eating it."

The WCRF findings could also not come at a worse time for the UK farming industry already struggling to cope with the recent foot-and-mouth and Bluetongue outbreaks.