Using total diet studies to assess acrylamide exposure

Abstract

Acrylamide is known to be neurotoxic but it is not known whether dietary exposure could cause cancer in humans, although based upon the evidence from the animal studies, it is considered probable. Within the UK the regulatory authorities have relied on total diet studies to determine the level of acrylamide that the nation is being exposed to through their diet and to assess trends in consumption patterns and target surveillance. The results presented in this study indicate that the levels of acrylamide exposure in the UK diet are within the average range reported by JECFA. As a result, JECFA has recommended that levels of acrylamide in food should be as low as reasonably achievable. This is consistent with the current dietary advice to UK consumers.