Why Nutella doesn’t actually give you cancer, and how to spot similar health scare stories

Do busy roads really give you dementia? And what about the connection between bacon and bowel cancer?

What makes a good health scare? Three essential ingredients.

First, there has to be something mundane that lots of ordinary people do, and preferably enjoy doing.

Second, there has to be a nasty disease, or a frightening health condition.

Third, the word “causes” must appear.

A big scare last week concerned Nutella, with reports that the processed palm oil used in the production of the hazelnut spread might be carcinogenic.

MORE:   http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/nutella-cancer-ingredient-palm-oil-health-scare-medical-science-spot-a-story-a7528036.html

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