Is Bacon Bad for You?
Bacon is a processed meat, and IARC classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans. The American Institute for Cancer Research lists bacon among common processed meats, and in October 2015 IARC classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, Group 1, based on sufficient evidence in humans that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer. IARC’s experts concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent, and it classified red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans, Group 2A.
That does not make bacon as dangerous as smoking. The WHO says processed meat is in the same IARC category as tobacco smoking and asbestos, but that this does not mean they are all equally dangerous, because the classifications describe the strength of the scientific evidence that something causes cancer rather than the level of risk. It says the risk increases with the amount of meat eaten, but the data did not permit a conclusion about whether a safe level exists.
The American Institute for Cancer Research says evidence shows that even small amounts of processed meat eaten regularly increase the risk of colorectal cancer, and that processed meats pose a greater risk of colorectal cancer than unprocessed red meat.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceIn October 2015 IARC classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer. International Agency for Research on Cancer ↗
- Government sourceIARC classified eating red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), based on limited evidence in humans and strong mechanistic evidence. International Agency for Research on Cancer ↗
- StudyIARC’s experts concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent. International Agency for Research on Cancer ↗
- Government sourceThe WHO says processed meat is in the same IARC category as tobacco smoking and asbestos, but this does not mean they are equally dangerous, because the classifications describe the strength of evidence rather than the level of risk. World Health Organization ↗
- Government sourceThe WHO says cancer risk increases with the amount of meat eaten, but the data available did not permit a conclusion about whether a safe level exists. World Health Organization ↗
- Medical referenceThe American Institute for Cancer Research says even small amounts of processed meat eaten regularly increase colorectal cancer risk, that processed meats pose a greater risk than unprocessed red meat, and lists bacon as a common processed meat. American Institute for Cancer Research ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.