Browned toast increases risk of cancer, scientists say

Cancer risk: the Food Standards Agency is warning people to avoid browned toast
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Tom Powell23 January 2017

Toast and potatoes that are cooked until they turn brown could increase the risk of cancer, government scientists have warned.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) claims people are consuming too much acrylamide, a chemical produced by roasting, frying or grilling starchy foods at high temperatures.

The “Go for Gold” campaign recommends cooking toast to a golden, yellow colour, and not “fluffing” potatoes before roasting in order to avoid extra crispy bits.

Acrylamide has been shown to cause cancer in animals and scientists think it is likely to have the same effect on humans, although it has not been proven.

FSA director of policy Steve Wearne said: “You can’t point to individual people and say that person has cancer because of the amount of acrylamide in their diet but because the mechanisms by which it does have this effect in animals are similar to the mechanisms you would expect to occur in humans it’s not something we can ignore.

“We’re not saying avoid particular foods or groups of foods but vary your diet so you smooth out your risk.

“We are not saying to people to worry about the occasional piece of food or meal that’s overcooked. This is about managing risk across your lifetime.”

He added that boiling, steaming or microwaving potatoes could reduce browning and hence acrylamide levels.

The FSA is also warning people not to keep potatoes in the fridge as this too increases acrylamide.

However, the campaign has been criticised for “overreacting” by some experts, according to the Telegraph.

Chris Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, told the newspaper: “They should be dealing with real safety issues like the handful of restaurants who are putting out genuinely dangerous food.

“This sort of thing undermines public faith in scientific advice and terrifies people.

“People just don’t know what to eat anymore because they’re not being given clear advice.”

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