1. Processed Meats

Processed meats, such as bacon, sausages, and hot dogs, are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This classification places them in the same category as tobacco and asbestos. The carcinogenicity is primarily attributed to the presence of nitrates, nitrites, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) formed during processing and cooking. These compounds have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer .