Sustainability campaigner The Changing Markets Foundation has reported that unpublished EFSA data shows a lot of food products still exceed benchmark levels for carcinogenic chemical content. One in fourteen food products tested in 2015 continue to have dangerously high levels of acrylamide, the analysis of unpublished laboratory results held by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), has revealed. EFSA data was released following an access to information request.

The analysis, conducted by the Changing Markets Foundation, reviewed the results of almost nine thousand laboratory tests conducted in Europe during 2015. Over 70% of these tests were implemented by the food industry and not by food safety authorities.

The highest level (5887 µg/kg), almost six times above the European reference value, was found in a sample of potato crisps taken in Germany. A sample of biscuits taken in Spain had the second highest value (5085 µg/kg), ten times over the European benchmark for that food group.

Interestingly, says the organisation, it is the results from the official tests conducted by European food safety authorities that seem to identify most cases of non-compliance and detect higher levels of acrylamide.

“Our analysis suggests that there is a significant discrepancy between industry’s selfmonitoring and official results from the European authorities” said Nuša Urbančič, campaigns director at the Changing Markets Foundation. “This makes us question whether such self-monitoring regime is indeed delivering for public health or just covering up for the worst offenders in the industry”.

The Foundation notes that the presence of acrylamide in food is considered a public health concern by EFSA as it increases the risk of developing cancer, and young children are the most vulnerable. Although data suggests there has been a slight downward trend across some food categories compared to previous years, it is, says the Foundation, alarming that the highest proportion of offending products are found in categories of foods destined for babies, with one in four of all cereal based baby food samples being above the European reference level.

In response to health concerns regarding acrylamide exposure, a legislative proposal is being discussed by the European Commission and Member States and a vote is expected in July, the organisation notes, pointing out that, following the criticism of the proposal by food safety and consumer protection groups, the European Commission promised to introduce maximum levels for acrylamide in certain products in the future. However, the most recent proposal remains silent as to whether, and if so, when such measures will be introduced [5]. The proposal also keeps the bulk of monitoring of acrylamide levels firmly in the hands of industry.

“It is very concerning that babies and children continue to be exposed to high levels of acrylamide in foods destined for them,” said Eoin Dubsky, campaigns manager at SumOfUs. “Almost 250,000 Europeans are asking Commissioner Andriukaitis to put in place binding levels for acrylamide in foods as soon as possible to guarantee that consumers are protected from dangerous exposure. It’s perfectly feasible and EU health officials should put public health before profits of food corporations.”