British sausage makers to sue UN over cancer slur
A BRITISH sausage-maker plans to sue the United Nations after suffering a 20 per cent drop in sales following its processed meat cancer warning.
The UN faces being sued by British sausage producers
Denis Lynn claims the UN’s World Health Organisation branded his product a potential killer through its “clumsily structured” report.
The international food watchdog last month said old favourites including sausages, bacon and ham could increase the risk of cancer.
Now Mr Lynn, who runs £50million Lynn’s Country Foods, has written to the UN demanding a retraction.
The UN said sausages could increase the risk of cancer
He said: “The WHO has taken leave of its senses. It is absurd to lump safe British sausages in with the rest. Eating one of our sausages carries no more of a risk than tucking into a pork chop.”
It is absurd to lump safe British sausages in with the rest
British sausage-makers use approved preservative sodium metabisulphite, which experts deem safe to eat. But European-style sausages often contain nitrate-based preservatives which convert into dangerous nitrosamines.
Mr Lynn, whose business is in County Down, told the UN the report showed “a misunderstanding of the classification and different manufacturing techniques of the same family of products”.
British sausage makers use approved preservatives
Top 10 Facts About Sausages
His lawyers added: “While we appreciate the job your organisation has in properly highlighting health risks in food consumption, it cannot be applied in such a way as to damage innocent businesses such as ours.”
Mr Lynn, whose firm makes 135 million sausages every year, has won the backing of former environment secretary Owen Paterson.
Mr Lynn called the UN report clumsy
Mr Paterson, Tory MP for rural North Shropshire, said: “I am a huge fan of the great British banger and I am behind Mr Lynn’s call for a public clarification. I will be writing to the WHO about this.
“I urge everyone to go out and buy some real quality British sausages.
“Our producers deserve support for keeping their standards streaks ahead of continental competitors.”