The amount on red meat in human diets needs to be reduced, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition has recommended.

After being asked by the Department of Health to review dietary advice on meat as a good source of iron, the scientists advised that people eat no more than 70g of red meat per day.

This is the equivalent to around three rashers of bacon and is likely to be well below the amount currently consumed by home cooks.

"Although the evidence is not conclusive, as a precaution, it may be advisable for intakes of red and processed meat not to increase above the current average," SACN suggested.

It was recently said by Peter Grove, editor of Mood Food Magazine, that more people are eating meat, despite recommendations made from official bodies.

He emphasised that the media is trying to entice people into healthier eating, which is likely to include more vegetarian produce.