Alteration in dietary pattern - processed meat

The RMA defines “processed meat product”, as “preserved or cured meats, including ham, frankfurters, salami and bacon”.

Other products that satisfy this definition include hotdogs, kabana, Fritz/devon, salami, metwurst, mortadella, Polish sausage, pepperoni, corned beef, pastrami, prosciutto, Spam and other similar luncheon meats and canned meats such as camp pie. However, the meat in frozen products such as beef pies and spaghetti bolognaise, and tinned products such as braised steak and onions is not preserved or cured.

Cured meats are products that have a distinctive texture, a pink colour and often a smoky flavour. Meat is cured using a preservative called sodium nitrite and most, but not all, cured meat products are smoked after the curing process. Curing inhibits the growth of food poisoning and spoilage micro-organisms.

Meat that has been marinated or seasoned does not satisfy the RMA’s definition.

• Portion sizes of processed meat product
• Meat consumption during service
• Civilian meat consumption
• Unprocessed meat

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [32224]

32240 there is some evidence that the veteran had an altered pattern of consumption of processed meat.

32242  the veteran has established the causal connection between consuming processed meat and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

Clinical onset and operational service [32242]

32246 the veteran's average daily total consumption of processed meat increased as specified in the Statement of Principles.

32248 the increase in the veteran's average daily total consumption of processed meat as specified in the Statement of Principles occurred at least 20 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

32245 the veteran's consumption of processed meat increased during operational service.

32247 the increase in the veteran's average daily total consumption of processed meat as a result of operational service made a material contribution to the requirements specified in the Statement of Principles.

or

32244 the veteran's increased consumption of processed meat was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

32250 the increase in the veteran's average daily total consumption of processed meat as a consequence of the identified illness or injury made a material contribution to the requirements specified in the Statement of Principles.

32251  the identified injury or illness which caused the increase in average daily total consumption of processed meat is causally related to operational service.