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Top plant-based physician Dr. Neal Barnard along with colleagues from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine demonstrated outside a McDonald’s – protesting against its ‘bacon hour’ initiative.
During ‘bacon hour’, which took place yesterday afternoon, the fast food giant offered customers free bacon on any item they ordered.
“Bacon increases the risk of colorectal cancer and has been classified as ‘carcinogenic to humans’ by the World Health Organization,” said PCRM. “After reviewing more than 800 studies, WHO concluded that each 50-gram portion of processed meat (a few slices of bacon or a hot dog) eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent.”
In a bid to raise awareness, medics gathered outside a Washington, D.C., branch of the chain to warn consumers of the health risks of eating bacon. They held signs saying: ‘Colorectal Cancer: I’m Riskin’ It’, ‘#BreakUpWithBacon’, and ‘Bacon Causes Butt Cancer’. They also handed out colorectal cancer screening kits.
Not lovin bacon
“Your colon won’t be lovin’ McDonald’s Bacon Hour,” said Physicians Committee president Neal Barnard, M.D. said in a statement sent to Plant Based News. “McDonald’s should be offering customers a free colorectal cancer screening with every free side of cancer-causing bacon.
Physicians Committee dietitian Lee Crosby, R.D., also wrote to McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook, urging him to help customers fight colorectal cancer by serving more plant-based meals.
“Instead of Bacon Hour, consider a nationwide launch of your vegan McAloo Tikki burger, which was recently featured at your Chicago headquarters,” wrote Crosby. “Its potatoes, peas, red onions, and tomato slices, which are high in fiber and other protective nutrients, work to reduce colorectal cancer risk.”
