Watchdog Warns Against Too Much Processed Meat

The Consumer Council has warned people not to eat too much processed meat, saying that some products are high in sodium and contain substances that can cause cancer.

The council tested 23 ham and 7 turkey slice samples and found that over 90 percent of them were high in sodium.

Among the 30 tested samples, all but one were detected with carcinogenic preservatives such as nitrate and nitrite.

Lui Wing-cheong, vice-chairperson of the council’s research and testing committee, said consumers should not rely on processed meat as protein source.

“We do not think turkey slices and ham are a good source or main source of protein. Because if you take it as a main source of protein, at the same time, you will intake excess sodium, then increases the risk of hypertension,” he said.

Meanwhile, the council found that half of the tested samples had discrepancies between the tested nutrient content and the declared values on their nutrition label.

In one case, a sample of turkey slices contained 90.4 percent more fat than what was stated on the label.

Gilly Wong, the council’s chief executive, urged manufacturers to ensure nutrition labels are accurate.

“The nutrition label is not as accurate as we want it to be. This is not ideal. We urge manufacturers or importers to be more accurate in their information presentation to consumers.”