Snack giant Frito-Lay -- along with Kettle Foods (Kettle Chips) and Lance Inc. (Cape Cod Chips) -- have agreed to reduce the amount of cancer-causing chemical acrylamide in their products after a settlement this week.
"Acrylamide is produced when potatoes and other starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures," reports the San Francisco Chronicle. "It is used industrially for treating sewage, and its presence in food was unknown in 1990 when California listed the chemical as a cancer-causing substance under Proposition 65. That initiative, passed in 1986, requires companies to post warnings of exposure to substances that cause cancer or birth defects.
"Swedish scientists were the first to detect acrylamide in food in a 2002 study," the paper continued. "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is studying the chemical but has not imposed nationwide restrictions. The FDA has advised consumers that they can reduce the levels of acrylamide in fried potatoes by not over-browning them while cooking."
In related news, Heinz settled another case and will reduce acrylamide in Ore-Ida frozen french fries and tater tots. Earlier this year, Procter & Gamble also promised to cut in half its acrylamide content in Pringles. Last year, fast food restaurants McDonald's, KFC, Wendy's and Burger King said they would post warnings about the chemical in their fries.
I'm sure the risks related to obesity are far more severe to the typical consumer of french fries and potato chips than any threat acrylamide poses. But I suppose the world loves to chase red herrings.
I love that photo of Ronald McDonald.
I'm sure the risks related to obesity are far more severe to the typical consumer of french fries and potato chips than any threat acrylamide poses. But I suppose the world loves to chase red herrings.
I love that photo of Ronald McDonald.