February 25, 2003; Updated May 22, 2008

Acrylamide Questions and Answers

1. What is acrylamide?

   Acrylamide is a chemical that can form in some foods during high-temperature cooking processes, such as frying, roasting, and baking. Acrylamide in food forms from sugars and an amino acid that are naturally present in food; it does not come from food packaging or the environment.

2. Is acrylamide found anywhere else? Does it have industrial uses?

   Acrylamide is produced industrially for use in products such as plastics, grouts, water treatment products, and cosmetics. Acrylamide is also found in cigarette smoke.

3. Is acrylamide something new in food? When was acrylamide first detected in food?

   Acrylamide has probably always been present in cooked foods. However, acrylamide was first detected in certain foods in April 2002.

4. Is there a risk from eating foods that contain acrylamide?

   Acrylamide caused cancer in animals in studies where animals were exposed to acrylamide at very high doses. Acrylamide causes nerve damage in people exposed to very high levels at work. FDA has not yet determined the exact public health impact, if any, of acrylamide from the much lower levels found in foods. FDA is conducting research studies to determine whether acrylamide in food is a potential risk to human health.

5. How does acrylamide form in food?

   Acrylamide forms from sugars and an amino acid (asparagine) during certain types of high-temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting, and baking.

6. What kinds of cooking lead to acrylamide formation? In what foods?

   High temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting, or baking, is most likely to cause acrylamide formation. Boiling and steaming do not typically form acrylamide. Acrylamide is found mainly in foods made from plants, such as potato products, grain products, or coffee. Acrylamide does not form, or forms at lower levels, in dairy, meat, and fish products. Generally, acrylamide is more likely to accumulate when cooking is done for longer periods or at higher temperatures. (See Additional information on acrylamide, diet, and food storage and preparation.)

7. Should I stop eating foods that are fried, roasted, or baked?

   No, all these foods are part of a regular diet. FDA's best advice for acrylamide and eating is that consumers adopt a healthy eating plan, consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars. (See Additional information on acrylamide, diet, and food storage and preparation.)

8. Are acrylamide levels in organic foods different from levels in other foods?

   Since acrylamide is formed through cooking, acrylamide levels in cooked organic foods should be similar to levels in cooked non-organic foods.

9. What can I do if I want to decrease the amount of acrylamide in foods that I cook or eat?

   See Additional information on acrylamide, diet, and food storage and preparation.

10. What is FDA doing about acrylamide in food?

    FDA has initiated a broad range of activities on acrylamide since the discovery of acrylamide in food in April 2002. FDA accomplishments include the following (see Acrylamide in Food):

    • Developed an Action Plan outlining FDA’s goals and planned activities on acrylamide in food.
    • Convened two meetings of FDA’s Food Advisory Committee/Subcommittee for input on FDA’s acrylamide program.
    • Developed a sensitive method for measuring acrylamide in food and posted the method on FDA’s website.
    • Analyzed and posted acrylamide testing results for approximately 2600 food samples.
    • Launched a comprehensive research program to study acrylamide toxicology.
    • Published peer-reviewed research on acrylamide toxicology and detection methods.
    • Conducted research on ways to reduce acrylamide in food.
    • Prepared assessments of consumer exposure to acrylamide.
    • Posted Qs and As and consumer information on acrylamide on FDA’s website.
11. What FDA data are available on acrylamide levels in U.S. foods?
    

    FDA has posted its current data on acrylamide in foods on the CFSAN web site at Acrylamide in Food. The most recent data were added to the website in 2006.