Eating processed meats, such as sausages and ham, can cause cancer.
That is the finding of a World Health Organisation report.
It says red meat is probably carcinogenic, too.
Phillippa Carisbrooke reports.
A classic traditional breakfast for many Australians would not be complete without sausage and bacon.
But now these key components come with a health warning.
The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer has found eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer.
It says there is evidence to suggest red meat does, too.
The agency's Dr Kurt Straif says the more people consume, the greater the risk -- but keep it in perspective.
"This is a small risk -- about the order of magnitude of the risk of passive smoking and lung cancer, for example. But we have to keep in mind that the exposure is very common, because many people eat processed meat or red meat."
The agency has put salami, corned beef, South African biltong and other processed meats in the same danger category as tobacco, alcohol and asbestos.
Processed meats are meats that have been salted, cured, dried, fermented or smoked.
The WHO says eating 50 grams a day, the equivalent of less than two rashers of bacon, increases a person's risk of colorectal cancer by 18 per cent.
University of New South Wales professor Bernard Stewart chaired the WHO committee that conducted the review.
He says people who consume red meat and processed meat every day should consider eating seafood, poultry or a vegetarian meal occasionally, instead.
"The evaluation made by WHO does not indicate that people should cease eating red meat and processed meat. What it says is that there is definitive evidence that warrants modifying a high intake of those foods."
Australians consume, on average, nearly 100 kilograms of meat a year, or around 250 grams a day.
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has told the ABC Australians do not need to be concerned because many things cause cancer.
"I don't think we should get too excited that, if you have a sausage, you're going to die of bowel cancer, because you are not. What obviously is part of this is you should have a balanced diet in all things. Too much of any one thing is bad for you. Certainly, you don't want to live on sausages."
Meat has known health benefits.
It is a good source of key nutrients such as zinc, protein and vitamin B12, as well as iron.
Nutritionist Fiona Hunter has told Al Jazeera the risk to people who eat modest portions of lean red meat is small.
"This report is merely confirming what we've always said: Eat less meat. Eat good quality, lean red meat. Don't eat it every day. Keep your intake of processed meats, like ham and salami, to a minimum."
The news has not deterred tourists in the German capital Berlin from buying the city's traditional fast food currywurst sausage.
"Food's food, and, anything in this world you enjoy, eventually I find out, 'This causes cancer.' Oh, well, enjoy your life. That's it. Stop worrying about things."
