Petition · past parliament · Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care
Ban the serving of red & processed meats in schools and nurseries
Closed
140 signatures
What the petition asks
The World Health Organisation has listed processed meat as a class 1 carcinogen which puts it in the same category for known cause of cancer to humans as smoking and asbestos (though it acknowledges that they are not all equally dangerous).
An analysis of data from 10 studies estimated that every 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by about 18%. Red meat is also listed as a class 2 carcinogen which means there is strong evidence of its link to causing cancer.
Cancer rates are on the rise. Limiting the amount of processed and red meats children eat from a young age could help to change this and prolong children’s life expectancy, every child deserves a good start in life.
Cancer rates are on the rise. Limiting the amount of processed and red meats children eat from a young age could help to change this and prolong children’s life expectancy, every child deserves a good start in life.
Timeline
| 16 Apr 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 16 Oct 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
140
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
16 Apr 2021
Closed
16 Oct 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.