processed meat to be "carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)", due to "sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer". Marcel Kuntz, a French director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, criticized the classification because it did not assess the risks associated with exposure (probability of getting a cancer from certain exposure): for example, red meat is qualified as probably carcinogenic, but the quantity of consumed red meat at which it could become dangerous is not specified. Ed Yong, a British science journalist, criticized the agency and its "confusing" category system for misleading the public. IARC answered in a press release their mission was not to evaluate potency or to assess the risks but only to determine scientifically the strength of carcinogenetic evidence of glyphosate. Some of the items that the IARC classifies, such as mobile phones (Group 2B) and processed meat (Group 1) have caused controversy. The agency has also classified drinking very hot beveragesaround as a probable carcinogen (Group 2A). Toxic tort law firms In 2019 IARC was accused of cooperation with "toxic tort law firms" who make profit of suing companies for compensation for alleged health issues based on IARC classification. IARC was accused from hiding conflicts of interest impacting a few invited experts, especially those related to large-scale cash flows from US law firms. Members The five founding states were the US, France, Italy, West Germany and the UK. They were later joined by 21 other members, of which 3 left: See also Air pollution European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Genotoxic Mutagen National Cancer Institute (US) Toxicology References External links Cancer organizations based in France International medical and health organizations World Health Organization Intergovernmental organizations established by treaty Scientific organizations based in France