Latest News about Acrylamide
How to avoid the dangers of this cancer-causing compound

By Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

There was worldwide alarm this year in the scientific community after researchers announced that many of the foods we eat contain a potent cancer-causing compound called acrylamide.
Acrylamide causes genetic mutation, leading to a wide range of cancers in lab animals, including breast cancer and uterine cancer.

Acrylamide forms in foods that are fried, baked, roasted, grilled, or barbequed, but not in those that are steamed, or boiled. The safest way to cook foods is steaming.

Frying and overcooking leads to the highest levels of acrylamide, the highest of which are found in fried chips, such as potato chips and french fries. Acrylamide is one of the most potent cancer causing agents. It is found in highest amounts in carbohydrates cooked at high temperatures.

European governments permit 10 parts per million (ppb) of acrylamide in packaged foods, but U.S. standards are more lax. For example, Kellogg’s Rice Crispies contain 110 ppb and
Pringles original crisps contain 1,480 ppb. Sugar-coated breakfast cereals have even higher levels than Rice Crispies.

Much has been said and written about whether authorities should attribute thousands or millions of deaths to acrylamide consumption.However, this argument is almost irrelevant because toxic agents, nutritional excesses, and nutritional deficiencies act in concert to establish a cellular
environment favorable for cancer development. Acylamide is not the only toxic substance we come in contact with. So, when we add it to all the others, the combination becomes a serious problem contributing to our nation’s dismal cancer statistics.

For years I have been advising my patients to avoid highly processed breakfast cereals, refined foods, and oils. Hopefully, science will catch up with this simple, common-sense recommendation.

Acrylamide in Various Foods1 (Micrograms per Serving)

Boiled Potatoes 4 oz. less than3
Tostitos Tortilla Chips 3 oz. 9
Honey Nut Cheerios 3 oz. 18
Cheerios 3 oz. 21
Ore Ida French Fries (from package) 3 oz. 28
Ore Ida French Fries (baked) 3 oz. 28
Fritos Corn Chips 3 oz. 33
Pringles Potato Crisps 3 oz. 75
Wendy’s French Fries (Biggie) 5.5 oz. 39
KFC Potato Wedges (Jumbo) 6.2 oz. 52
Burger King French Fries (large) 5.7 oz. 59
McDonald’s French Fries (large) 6.2 oz. 82

1. Source: CSPI Newsroom: New Tests Confirm Acrylamide in American Foods,
June 25, 2002. www.cspinet.org/new/200206251.html