Western Australia has introduced a limit on ham in school canteens. Parents are reportedly confused and frustrated. So what has changed and what evidence is it based on?
Reclassifying processed meats
The WA Department of Health has reconfigured its system for classifying food and drink in public schools. It uses a traffic light approach, allocating green, amber or red colours to foods and drinks.
Ham and other processed red meats have been moved from an “amber” label to a “red” label.
Read more: Yes, we still need to cut down on red and processed meat
green items must account for at least 60% of items on a menu
amber items must account for less than 40% of items on a menu
red items cannot be on the menu.
There’s one catch. The new guidelines allow ham to be sold as if it is an amber item, only two days per week, if ham was already on a canteen’s menu prior to the reconfiguration.
Why restrict ham?
Singling out nutrients or foods as “good” or “bad” can lead to confusion and polarised views on diet. Rather than focusing on individual foods, long-term health outcomes are more closely linked to overall dietary patterns.
Ham itself is not inherently considered junk food. It’s a source of protein and many other nutrients.
However, certain types of ham products – especially highly processed or cured hams – are less healthy options for several reasons:
High sodium content
Many commercially available hams, especially highly processed and cured varieties, can be high in sodium, which is salt.
Excessive sodium intake is associated with health issues such as high blood pressure and can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.
On average, Australian children consume more sodium than the recommended upper limit: 600 mg a day for children aged four to eight and 800 mg a day for those aged nine to 13.
The World Health Organization says reducing sodium is one of the most cost-effective ways nations can improve the health of their populations.
Read more: Health Check: how much salt is OK to eat?
Additives
Some processed hams may contain additives, preservatives and flavour-enhancers we should limit.
Saturated fat
While ham is a good source of protein, certain cuts can be higher in saturated fat.
Any ham sold in canteens under the new rules (where ham is treated as an “amber” food until the canteen menu changes) must have less than 3g of saturated fat per 100g.
The methods to process and cure ham may involve smoking, which can produce compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In large quantities, these may cause health concerns, including increasing the risk of bowel cancer.
What are some ham alternatives?
Lean, minimally processed ham, prepared without excessive sodium or additives, can potentially be a part of a healthy overall diet. And parents in WA can continue packing ham in their child’s lunchbox.
When choosing ham, read the labels and select products with a lower sodium content, minimal additives and healthier preparation methods.
When looking for low-salt alternatives to ham, there are several options to consider:
turkey breast. Turkey is a lean meat and can be a good substitute for ham. Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties
chicken breast. Skinless, boneless chicken breast is a versatile and low-sodium option. Grilling, baking or roasting can add flavour without relying on salt
smoked salmon. While salmon naturally contains some sodium, smoked salmon tends to be lower in sodium than cured ham. Choose varieties with little or no added salt
roast beef. Choose lean cuts of roast beef and consider seasoning with herbs and spices instead of relying on salt for flavour
homemade roasts. Prepare your own roasts using lean meats such as pork loin, beef sirloin or lamb. This way, you have more control over the ingredients and can minimise added salt
grilled vegetables. These can be a tasty alternative to meat. Eggplant, zucchini, capsicum and portobello mushrooms have a satisfying texture and flavour
beans and legumes. Beans, lentils and chickpeas can be used as alternatives in various dishes. They are naturally low in sodium and high in protein and fibre.
Consider planning ahead, involving your kids, reducing pre-packaged foods, balancing cost and convenience, and giving your kids lunchbox accountability.
Why the the ban on ham? Ham is a processed meat, in the same category as sausages, frankfurters, salamis and bacon. The World Health Organisation found that consumption of processed meats causes bowel cancer, with each 50g daily portion increasing risk of cancer by 18%.
Why the the ban on ham? Ham is a processed meat, in the same category as sausages, frankfurters, salamis and bacon. The World Health Organisation found that consumption of processed meats causes bowel cancer, with each 50g daily portion increasing risk of cancer by 18%.
It is generally recommended to wait until the child is older or holding off on regularly serving deli meats, cured hams (such as prosciutto and jamon iberico), and glazed hams due to the risk of foodborne illness.
The World Health Organization has classified processed meats including ham, bacon, salami and frankfurts as a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) which means that there's strong evidence that processed meats cause cancer. Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer.
It's rich in protein and several beneficial nutrients. However, regularly eating processed meats like ham may increase your risk of certain cancers. Thus, it's best to limit your intake and stick to fresh, less processed types of ham as part of a balanced diet.
Ham that requires cooking before consumption or fresh, raw ham must reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) (with a three-minute rest time). Set the oven no lower than 325°F (163°C). Cooked canned ham and cooked vacuum-packaged ham, both from federally inspected plants, can be eaten right out of the package.
Turkey and chicken are two other ideal meats to enjoy. They offer lots of protein yet are leaner in fat than most meats. Make a long slice along the side of a thick chicken breast and you can stuff it with veggies and cheese for a nutritious dish.
Bacon and fried ham can both be part of a healthy diet in moderation, but they are not equally healthy. Bacon is often higher in fat and sodium than fried ham, which can have an impact on overall health if consumed in large amounts. Bacon is a processed meat that is high in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol.
Both ham and bacon are high in protein, but they also contain a significant amount of fat and sodium. As you can see, bacon is significantly higher in calories, fat, and sodium than ham. Ham is a better source of protein per calorie than bacon. However, bacon does contain slightly more protein per serving than ham.
A healthy diet for children and adolescents includes pork
Children especially like the mild flavour and tender texture, easy to eat. Introducing pork meat into the feeding of the youngest children is a way of offering them a healthy and varied diet.
Simply put,uncured ham is a ham that undergoes a much more natural curing process. The main difference between uncured and cured ham is the use of synthetically sourced nitrates, which can turn into carcinogenic chemicals.
The role of protein in children's health is particularly important for maintaining muscle mass, cardiovascular health, respiratory function and a healthy immune system. Nutritionists have recommended that about 10 to 35% of an adult or child's daily calories come from protein or animal meat.
Ham contains important nutrients such as selenium, phosphorous, and B vitamins, but it also comes with some health risks. Eating ham, along with other red meats, may raise the risk of heart disease and cancer, affect your life expectancy, and take a toll on the environment.
Processed Meats: Notably, there are over 200 types of cold cuts and processed meats. These include hot dogs, bologna, and Vienna sausages. Processed meat is often made of less healthy organs like the stomach, lips, and heart.
Is Ham Bad for Dogs? Ham is not toxic to dogs, but it's also not a healthy treat for them. So if your pup eats a little piece that fell to the floor, they should be totally fine. But feeding ham to your dog as a regular snack can cause some long-term health issues.
Meat production significantly contributes to the release of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. As large volumes of these greenhouse gases accumulate in the earth's atmosphere, they absorb radiation and prevent heat escaping. This leads to global warming.
While the overhaul has raised eyebrows among some parents, the new rules could be a step in the right direction as consuming too much processed meat, like ham, has been proven to increase the risk of bowel cancer.
If your ham starts to take on a green or grey hue, or even gets black or brown in a few areas, throw it away. If it doesn't smell good, throw it away. Ham should have a salty or smokey aroma, almost sweet. If there is a sour smell or something smells off, don't take the chance of a food-borne illness.
"Dogs can suffer from a very painful and life-threatening disease called pancreatitis … an inflammation of the pancreas," Dr Lawrie said. “Pancreatitis can be triggered by fatty ham such as offcuts and trimmings."
Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
