Should we stop giving crisps and chips to young children? What do you think?
What is Acrylamide?
- Facts about Acrylamide.
- What are its dangers?
- What is it made up of (components)?
Acrylamide is a chemical produced naturally in food as a result of cooking starch rich food at high temperatures, such as when baking or frying. These include chips, bread and crisps. It is also likely to be produced by grilling and roasting food and some other cooking methods. It was first discovered by scientists in Sweden in 2002. Acrylamide causes cancer in animals and so might also harm people's health. In industry, it is manufactured as a crystalline white powder and is used in the production of polyacrylamide gels. Polyacrylamide is used as an additive for water treatment, and as a papermaking aid. It is also used as a soil conditioning agent, in sewage and waste treatment, and ore processing. It is used as a grouting agent in the construction of dam foundations, tunnels and sewers.
[http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/chemsafe/acrylamide_branch/acrylamide_study_faq/]
Which foods can it be detected in?
Acrylamide is present in many different foods consumed around the world. For example, it is found in 40 percent of the calories consumed in the average American diet – in foods ranging literally from soup to nuts, and including baked and fried potatoes, cereals, coffee, crackers, olives, bread, asparagus, prune juice, dried fruit and many others. It is produced by baking, grilling, roasting or frying foods, irrespective of whether the food is made at home, in a restaurant or in a commercial setting. This widespread presence makes it highly unlikely that it can be completely eliminated from diets.
[http://www.acrylamidefacts.com/sitecore/content/Home/About-Acrylamide.aspx]
The levels of Acrylamide which are found.
The problem: Health Issues etc. (Very Detailed account/research for A*)
Social/Economic and Environmental Issues
What is...