Processed: How the processed meat industry is killing us with the food we love

by Lucie Morris-Marr

Why our love affair with processed meat is killing us. The chilling exposé the food industry doesn't want YOU to know.

They're totally delicious. We love crispy bacon with our eggs for breakfast, ham sandwiches for lunch and snags on election day. Lucie Morris-Marr's family was no different, ordering pepperoni pizzas on Friday nights and putting salami on their summer picnic platters.

But when the Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer, she learned the chilling truth about our love affair with processed meats.

As Lucie fights for her life, she takes us on a jaw-dropping ride, uncovering the scientific evidence linking our deli favourites with cancer and other serious conditions. She shatters the strange silence enjoyed by the billion-dollar industry that profits from our health risks. Armed with interviews from local and international experts, she asks tough questions about controversial preservatives, fast food, cooking methods and just how processed meats became so embedded in our lives.

With tips on making the transition to healthier foods, Processed is essential reading for anyone who cares about their health.

'Impassioned, informed and well documented' - Matthew Evans

'A firecracker of a book!' - Tracey Spicer

'Demystifies the system around the way we produce our food, market it and sell it to an unwitting public.' - Ronni Salt

'A must-read for anyone concerned about health and longevity.' - Melanie Schilling

'Thought-provoking and, at times terrifying, Processed will make you stop, think and change the way you eat.' - Paula Joye

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Food

400 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Chantal Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucie Morris-Marr’s Processed is both an unflinching exposé and a deeply personal reckoning with the processed meat industry. Combining razor-sharp investigative journalism with the raw honesty of her own very personal bowel cancer journey, she dismantles the powerful systems that shape our food choices at the expense of public health. Insightful and relentless, Morris-Marr lifts the lid on preservatives, additives, and corporate deception, forcing us to confront the uncomfortable truths lurking in our diets. More than just a damning critique, Processed is a battle cry—one that demands we question what we eat and the industries profiting from it. Excellent and easy to read- if I could give it 6 stars I would.

[Talia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too science heavy, just real and relatable. Made me seriously rethink my love for salami lmao

[Sadhbh O'Sullivan]

I’ll never look at processed meats the same way again. Kind of horrifying to read really.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and relatable narrative non-fiction exploration of highly processed meat.

[Lucy Skeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! This was a terrifying read and blew my mind. Should be essential reading. Thank you so much to Icon Books for my copy

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day in playgroup a mum said: l’d be vegetarian but l just love bacon too much. We all thought she said baking. Guffaws when we realised it was actually processed pig she loved. Hope she’s still alive.

[Anggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an eye-opening and important book about the harm of processed meat industry due to its constant use of preservative 252(Potassium Nitrate) and preservative 250(Sodium Nitrite).

Consumption of bacon, sausage, ham, luncheon meat laden with these preservative could cause cancer. I really had no idea before I read this book. Now that I am more aware of it. I will do my best to choose a nitrite free meat product when it is available.

[books4chess · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Food makes you feel at home, as if you are sitting at the table of your own mothership or docked in your home port, no matter how far away you are"

What Processed is: an incredibly emotive memoir of a journalist who was unfortunate enough to develop stage 4 cancer, highly likely as a result of her diet, but successfully overcame it. It’s a source of detailed studies, ingredient lists, and a self awareness that a CEO or senior figure of a company is not the devil or individually responsible for the wider evils out there.

What Processed is not: a groundbreaking, unbiased analysis of data through a critical lens, or investigative journalism. In it’s most basic failing, it references the results presented on fast food consumption in the documentary 'Super Size Me’ - publicly debunked as the protagonist refrained from disclosing that he was also an alcoholic.

Similarly, there are several references to Judasim and the link between the population and the cancers that the book predominantly links to processed meats, whilst never exploring the fact that the Jewish population predominantly don’t eat any of the ingredients listed.

The book is educational - I didn’t honestly know what meats were defined as ‘processed meat’s - possibly because it turns out I’ve never eaten most of them. Additionally, there is a clear lack of accountability around the ingredients sold to consumers, with regulators, supermarkets and food producers all seemingly expecting the other to take on oversight. But in the same way surgeons are not allowed to operate on their own family members, I wonder if memoirs about highly emotive topics which have shaped a persons entire beliefs can be merged with journalism without alienating the reader.

Thank you Icon Books for the copy - I can always rely on you to provide the books to get me thinking.

[Joolsmagools® · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life-Changing, Eye-Opening, and Urgent!

Lucie Morris-Marr’s “Processed” is life-changing. It is shocking. It has jolted me into action. The truths revealed in this book cannot be ignored, and I am forever grateful that Lucie survived to share her urgent warning with the world.

Her courage, research, and deeply personal experience have opened my eyes to the hidden dangers lurking in our food. Preservative Sodium Nitrite (E250) is now firmly in my sights, and I am committed to avoiding it—along with other harmful additives—as best I can. This book has not only changed my perspective on food but has also strengthened my resolve to make healthier choices for myself and those around me.

Lucie’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring in equal measure. Her journey through stage 4 bowel cancer and a liver transplant is a testament to resilience, and her determination to educate and protect others is legendary.

If you care about your health, your family, and the truth about what’s in our food, “Processed” is essential reading. I can only hope this book reaches as many people as possible—because once you know, you can’t un-know.

Thank you, Lucie, for your bravery and for giving us the wake-up call we all need.

Joolsmagools®

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a little biased and one sided, this is part memoir, part research about the issues of processed meats, mostly those using preservative 250, sodium nitrate, which is linked to cancer, and why the WHO has put ham on the 'banned' and Carsonagentic list. Luci talks about her cancer battle and how she believes that it might possibly be linked also to the eating of processed foods, but like many of the 'food' issues, there is still only weak links between cause and actual diagnosis as it also could be combinations, and environmental, though it is, like Botox, 250 is a poison. Still, be interesting to see if there will be any traction on it in the future. Suitable reading for teens and adults, though the cancer memoir part of the book might be emotional reading for some.

[Jessica Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a timely reminder about the importance of what we put in our bodies. I will think of Lucie’s experience and efforts in writing this book when I see processed meat. The afterward about Lucie’s transplant was very moving.

The overall message of the book solid, but the more conversational, meandering and at times repetitive style is not my personal preference. I prefer a tightly paced, concise book, I feel the message could’ve been delivered in a shorter page count.

[Susannah PK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Lucie Morris-Marr.
I am now effectively not knowingly going out of my way to eat processed meat again.
Reading very early on in the book how processed "ham" is made- it made me almost physically ill.

Thank you Lucie for being brave and putting yourself on the line to tell the truth about the dangerous chemicals that are in many processed foods, especially in our meat and smallgoods industry.

I wish you all the best in health, both mentally and physically.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important, eye-opening read about the health risks of our consumption of processed meats. Lucie weaves her own story of her battle against cancer with in-depth research into the food industry to expose the dangers of consuming too much processed meat. A very interesting and important read for all. Highly recommend.

[Soraya Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I found it to be really well researched and reading about the author’s personal journey through her battle with cancer and liver transplant was a real eye opener. I sincerely hope the governments do more to warn consumers about the risks of consuming processed meats. I look forward to reading more books from this acclaimed author.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discusses the health implications of processed meat, specially the author post being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer is suspicious that her diagnosis was related to consumption of processed meat. Multiple other conditions are mentioned as having increased occurrence or mortality in people who consume processed meat. Interesting however could've been summarised in a third of the word count.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting book. The authors health journey is incredible. And the link between the harmful nitrates in processed meats and significant health issues is frightening. This book has opened my eyes and has certainly changed my families habits.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such a subject, this was an informative, interesting and at times funny read.
A very personal story that led to a lot of research.
I have gained so much information and will really be thinking about what I eat more. Looking for better options.

[J.H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening. Processed is a great companion read to Chris van Tulleken’s Ultra Processed People, warning of the many, many risks you take eating nitrate-filled “meat”. Thanks Lucie Morris-Marr for sharing your story and hopefully saving many lives.

[Gina Salvagno · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read especially if you have children 😞

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciate the passion and the depth, but the trolling seems a bit too much

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information and detail - but a little long for the main point

[Shemaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow such a well written book, Lucie shares such a personal story. Whilst raising awareness about bowel cancer and the importance of staying healthy.
You are such an inspiration thanks for sharing your journey.