Bad news, meat lovers. While we've heard before the myriad ways meat consumption is bad for our bodies, the World Health Organization has decided to spoil today by taking a stand against processed (cured, smoked, salted, fermented) meats.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the #cancer agency of WHO, classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)

— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015

NPR says:

The World Health Organization has deemed that processed meats — such as bacon, sausages and hot dogs — cause cancer.

In addition, the WHO says red meats including beef, pork, veal and lamb are "probably carcinogenic" to people.

A group of 22 scientists reviewed the evidence linking red meat and processed meat consumption to cancer, and concluded that eating processed meats regularly increases the risk of colorectal cancer. 

In a Q & A released by the IARC, the agency says that "eating meat has known health benefits," but it also points out that the cancer risk increases with the amount of meat consumed. As we've reported, studies show that the heaviest meat eaters tend to have the highest risk.

The IARC says high-temperature cooking methods (such as cooking meat in direct contact with a flame) produce more carcinogenic compounds. However, the group says there were not enough data "to reach a conclusion about whether the way meat is cooked affects the risk of cancer."

WHO's new classifications put the meat is the same carcinogenic "group" as smoking—Does that mean they're comparatively bad for us? WHO says no, calm down, they because they share a classification doesn't mean they're equally dangerous.  

Q: Does it mean consumption of processed meat is as carcinogenic as tobacco smoking and asbestos? pic.twitter.com/yCYl6eKEEG

— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015