Burnt Toast Causes Cancer?

If you live in Canada, you’ve been warned not to eat burnt toast. If you live in Europe, you’ve heard that burnt toast is potentially dangerous. And if you live in the U.S., you’ll be hearing these warnings shortly. Recently, the FDA released a statement saying the government agency “is considering issuing guidance for industry on reduction of acrylamide levels in food products.” Acrylamide, the carcinogen created when carbohydrates and proteins are cooked together at high temperature, can be found in foods such as dark toast, French fries, and potato chips. The carcinogen had been identified as a “toxic substance” in Canada, and the European Union has called it a hazardous chemical “of high concern.” But Dutch investigators say acrylamide has no relationship to cancer growth. We’ll have to wait and see where the FDA comes down in the argument.