Staff at some Nottingham cafes say they have been left ‘sceptical’ and ‘confused’ after the Government issued a warning that starchy burnt food including toast and roast potatoes may increase the risk of cancer.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched the ‘Go For Gold’ campaign on Monday, encouraging families to stop toasting, frying and grilling certain foods at high temperatures.
Some scientists now believe browning food can release a chemical called acrylamide, which has the potential to cause cancer in humans.
Instead, the FSA is advising people to cook foods including bread, chips, and root vegetables until they are yellow or golden in colour instead of brown or burnt.
But the advice left some people confused after years of health authorities focusing on smoking and more recently alcohol as causes of cancer.
Amy Turner, the assistant manager of Hartleys, a cafe in Hockley, said: “I’m a bit confused, I have no idea how nobody’s ever found this before.
“It’s a weird one but surely it can’t be that bad, people have been eating toast for years, it’s good that they’ve found it but compared to other things that are a really big risk this isn’t that huge.”
She suggested toasters with different, lower, heat settings could help encourage people to follow the guidance.
“I like my toast well done, not just warm bread because that’s not really toast, and not burnt,” she added.
The chemical released during the browning process is naturally occurring, and is a reaction between amino acids and sugars.
Lab tests have shown that ingestion of the acrylamide causes cancer in animals, but the studies on humans have so far been inconclusive.
VIDEO: An FSA video warning about the dangers of acrylamide, a chemical which could potentially cause cancer.
Anthony Quinn, who owns the Pudding Pantry on Trinity Square, said he was unsure what to believe.
He said: “After decades, maybe even centuries, eating toast, they’re now claiming it’s bad.
“I’d take it with a pinch or salt. If you eat and drink everything in moderation, it’s going to be fine.”
Anthony likes his toast dark but not burnt, so isn’t too concerned.
“I’m very sceptical,” he added.
“A few years ago they were scared that mobile phones were a cancer risk, but when did we last hear about that? It comes and goes.”
The Food Standards Agency said: “Laboratory tests show that acrylamide in the diet causes cancer in animals.
“While evidence from human studies on the impact of acrylamide in the diet is inconclusive, scientists agree that acrylamide in food has the potential to cause cancer in humans as well and it would be prudent to reduce exposure.”