Acrylamide

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" California sues food firms over acrylamide "

The state of California is suing nine top food manufacturers over

their reluctance to issue warnings that some popular snacks could

contain a potential cancer-causing chemical.

Attorney general Bill Lockyer argues that the state's anti-toxics

law, Proposition 65, requires companies to warn consumers about

products containing chemicals known to cause cancer or birth

defects.

Acrylamide, a carcinogen that is created when starchy foods are

baked, roasted, fried or toasted, was placed on the list in 1990.

But some food companies remain reluctant to highlight the potential

danger in snack products such as fries and potato chips.

The defendants in the lawsuit include heavy weights such as Burger

King, Frito-Lay, Heinz, KFC and Mc's.

" In taking this action, I am not telling people to stop eating

potato chips or French fries, " said attorney general Bill Lockyer.

" I know from personal experience that, while these snacks may not be

a necessary part of a healthy diet, they sure taste good. But I, and

all consumers, should have the information we need to make informed

decisions about the food we eat.

" Proposition 65 requires companies to tell us when we're exposed to

potentially dangerous toxins in our food. The law benefits us all,

and as Attorney General, I have a duty to enforce it. "

But many food makers remain resolutely opposed to such a warning,

fearing that such labelling would needlessly scare consumers. They

argue that obesity, over-consumption and alcohol are much more

likely to increase the risk of cancer than trace levels of

carcinogens in food.

However, pressure has been mounting on food companies to better

label their foods ever since scientists in Sweden confirmed the link

between starchy foods and acrylamide in 2002. Public health bodies

have become increasingly vigilant; according to the Environmental

Law Foundation (ELF), dozens of potato chips contain excessive

levels of acrylamide without any warning whatsoever.

For every product the pressure group tested, a one-ounce serving

eaten daily exceeded levels that require a cancer warning under

Proposition 65.

Lockyer has made efforts not to appear so confrontational. He claims

that he intends to work with the defendants in the case to find a

way to effectively give consumers information about the acrylamide

in their products, while at the same time preventing undue public

alarm and unnecessary warning signs concerning foods that contain

insignificant amounts of the chemical.

The Attorney General's action is not the first to seek consumer

warnings for these foods. A private suit filed in 2002 by the

Committee for Education and Research on Toxics (CERT) named

Mc's and Burger King as defendants, and is pending in Los

Angeles County Superior Court.

Another set of two private suits filed on 3 August 2005 by

Environmental World Watch (EWW) identified a number of the same

defendants as the Attorney General's suit. Additional actions were

filed on 25 August 2005 by the ELF.

The FDA is currently investigating acrylamide in various foods,

including bread, cereal and coffee, but has not issued any warnings.

A list from March 2004 shows the acrylamide levels - in parts per

billion - of many brands of food. This list can be found here