Calif. attorney general wants warning label on french fries.

Calif. attorney general wants warning label on fries.

Acrylamide in food.

Acrylamide first gained public attention in 2002 in Sweden during the construction of a tunnel in which a chemical containing acrylamide was used as a water sealant. Later, cattle drinking water downstream were discovered paralyzed by acrylamide, a known neurotoxin at high levels. Blood tests were done on the tunnel workers, and overly high levels of acrylamide were discovered. In a control study tests were performed on the general population in Sweden, and the elevated levels of acrylamide were so unexpected and alarming that it was decided to immediately go public with the findings.


It was found that starch-containing foods subjected to high heat, such as potato chips, french fries, bread, etc, developed acrylamide, and the same foods in the raw state had none of the chemicals. Acrylamide is water soluble and readily absorbed in the intestines but is also excreted in the urine, so levels aren't cumulative. In high levels acrylamide is a neurotoxin, and at lower levels have been found to cause mutations in DNA and tumors.

The FDA's response has been that more tests are required before a definitive statement can be made about the risks of acrylamide in food .