John Myers
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Acrylamide – What is it?
- Acrylamide is a molecule used in the chemical industry for paints and plastics, among other things.
- In its pure form, acrylamide is a white powder. It is made synthetically.
- However, acrylamide can also be formed when starchy foods are heated.
What foods are acrylamide found in?
- Acrylamide can form when starchy foods are heated. To be more precise, it is made from the amino acid asparagine, which is mainly found in potatoes and cereals. Sugars such as fructose and glucose promote acrylamide formation.
- The acrylamide is formed by dry heating at temperatures of 120 degrees Celsius. Above 180 degrees, a particularly large amount of acrylamide is formed. The substance is formed particularly during frying, baking, roasting, roasting, and grilling.
- Potato products such as fries and chips are particularly affected, but so are bread and crispbread. These products are heated dry, i.e. without adding liquid, such as when cooking. Acrylamide is formed in the crispy, brown outer layer.
Is acrylamide harmful?
- Acrylamide is suspected of being carcinogenic and attacking the genome. To date, however, this has only been proven in animal experiments.
- There is no evidence that frequent consumption of affected foods causes harm.
- Nevertheless, the stipulation applies that the acrylamide content should be as low as possible.
