One chemical, many foods - Los Angeles Times

Endorsing the view that reducing risk is always for the best are the California attorney general and environmental activists. They want to warn consumers about the presence of acrylamide, a known carcinogen, in French fries and potato chips.

Taking a more pragmatic approach are food scientists. They say that acrylamide has been discovered in many foods — black olives, coffee, bread, breakfast cereal — and that humans have been eating the chemical for years with few, if any, ill effects.

As the two sides square off, two questions frame their debate: At what level does acrylamide pose a threat to humans? And how much risk is acceptable?

One chemical, many foods - Los Angeles Times