Should Australians cut down on charcuterie after French findings on bowel cancer risk?

Australian dietary guidelines say processed meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and people should limit their intake to once a week or less. Photograph: Lauri Patterson/Getty Images

Nitrates are in the news again after French health authorities confirmed a link between additives in processed meats and bowel cancer.

France’s national food safety body now recommends reducing the consumption of nitrates and nitrites found in processed meats such as prosciutto, bacon and chorizo.