Before you or your child reaches for that bag of chips, box of cookies or plate of french fries, know this: these foods aren’t just bad for the waistline, but may be linked to an increased risk of cancer!
 
Acrylamide is a chemical that naturally forms in starchy foods, such as french fries, potato chips, and cookies, during processing or cooking. It is created when foods are cooked at high temperatures and for longer periods, causing their sugars and amino acids (mainly asparagine) to combine. It is most commonly associated with frying, deep-frying and grilling foods.
 
Acrylamide has been classified as a probable human carcinogen and has been identified as a health concern by the World Health Organization. Research has linked the chemical to cancer in lab animals. The primary source of acylamide exposure is from processed food sources - although Health Canada says the level is low. Exposures also come from food packaging, some plastics and cigarette smoke.
 
In August, 2009, acrylamide was labelled a toxic substance and placed onto the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in order to minimize public exposure. In addition, Health Canada is investigating the use of Aspergillus niger, a mold, for use as an additive to reduce potential acrylamide levels in manufactured foods.
 
What you can do to protect you family:

• Limit your family’s intake of processed and fried foods.
• Boil or steam food rather than frying, grilling or deep-frying to reduce the amount of acrylamide in starchy foods. As a bonus, these methods of cooking retain more nutrients.
• Avoid burning food and do not eat burned foods, where acrylamide concentrations have been found to be highest.

 
Try this at home:

• Mix it up. Eat a balanced diet containing a wide variety of nutritious, whole foods.
• Include a broad range of fruit and vegetables more often.
• Shop and opt for healthier choices for your family.

 
Ideas for healthier snacks for your family:

• cut and/or peeled fruits with nut or seed butters
• celery with cream cheese and raisins
• low-salt crackers with cheese
• sliced hard-boiled egg on whole grain toast
• popcorn