KFC fries more cancerous than McDonald's, report says

(ECNS) – The yummy fries at KFC and McDonald's can be cancerous.

A random inspection in June found acrylamide, a potentially cancerous substance, in the fries of both fast food giants, according to China Consumer Report. KFC contained 280 micrograms of acrylamide per 100 grams of fries, and McDonald's had 240 micrograms per 100 grams of fries.

Health authorities all over the world have long been aware of the risks of the chemical. Acrylamide has been proved to be a cancer risk in animals, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has listed it as cancerous in humans.

The scale of the problem and risk, however, is still awaiting a definite answer. Canadian authorities draw a safety line of 0.3 to 0.4 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. Swedish authorities set a limit of 0.5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The US Food and Drug Administration rules that an intake of less than 0.4 micrograms per kilogram of body weight is safe.

China hasn't clarified its safety limit in food products, but has a limit of 0.5 micrograms per liter in drinking water.

Fudan University professor Li Shuguang said the amount of acrylamide in fried food is dependent on the oil temperature, frying time and the type of food and cooking oil.

KFC and McDonald's didn't answer questions regarding their oil temperature, frying time and oil change frequency.

Yummy & Co China, who controls KFC, said that all food products at KFC meet China's standards. The company also said acrylamide exists in many food products, and that there are no definite ruling from the World Health Organization or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that the chemical is cancerous.