High levels of acrylamide found in 10% of UK baby biscuits

According to a new study, 10% of biscuits for infants and young children surveyed on sale in the UK have high levels of acrylamide, a known carcinogen.

The survey, commissioned by the Changing Markets Foundation, analysed 48 types of biscuits for infants and young children in the UK. The highest levels of acrylamide were found in a sample of biscuits for one-year-olds; these were found to contain a concentration of 924.4 μg/kg, almost five times above the European benchmark and 30 times higher than products with the lowest concentration.

Exposure of babies and young children to acrylamide is considered of particular concern by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA); a recent study from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) concluded that people in the UK currently consume higher levels of the chemical than is desirable and that the risk of cancer from acrylamide exposure is three times higher in infants than in adults.

Changing Markets and SumOfUs’ survey of baby biscuits in France found only one product – Nestlé brand – that had levels higher than the benchmark.

The findings come just six months after the FSA published its own monitoring results showing 29 products exceeding the recommended acrylamide benchmarks, including three types of baby foods.

A legislative proposal on acrylamide in food is currently being discussed by the European Commission and member states. This proposal has been criticised by food safety and consumer protection groups because it fails to introduce maximum legal limits for acrylamide, which is the approach taken on other contaminants in EU law. The vote on the draft proposal is expected in June.

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