Perhaps I am being a little too dramatic but this article claims that processed meat is responsible for one in 30 deaths. Scientists say that a rasher of bacon a day can be harmful with meals containing too much processed meat being a factor in contributing to an early death.
Analysis carried out by Oxbridge scientists found that processed meat is to blame for one in every 30 deaths. Based on these findings they suggested that people should limit themselves to no more than 20g a day of processed meat which is the equivalent of one rasher of bacon. I guess the message here is to consume only moderate amounts, but personally I only eat bacon about once a week.