Has anyone ever wondered why there are higher morbidity and mortality rates from cancer in the United States than in Nigeria? I am certain it has a great deal to do with the cuisine.
A carcinogen is a chemical capable of inducing malignant changes in cells of humans and animals after prolonged or excessive exposure. Tobacco smoke for example is a carcinogen because it increases the level of free radicals in the bloodstream which can invade normal cells, cause mutations in their DNA and transform them into malignant cells. Tobacco smoke also reduces the level of antioxidants which bind to free radicals and prevent them from invading a normal cell. This reduction in antioxidants makes body cells more susceptible free-radical induced malignant changes.
A carcinogen is a carcinogen regardless of the toxicity rating. Acrilamide is not only a recognized carcinogen, but also a suspected immunotoxicant (suspected to supress the immune system and make the body more vulnerable to infections), and a suspected neurotoxicant ( any subtance that disrupts the central nervous system\'s normal functioning and triggers behavioral changes like irritabilty and confusion). For more information, see
http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=79-06-1#rankingI\'m not a fan of chips at all, but if indeed the potato chips these companies produce contain a potentially hazardous chemical like acrilamide, then there should be a warning on the food labels so consumers can be aware of the risks they\'re exposed to.