Why should control the toxin acrylamide?

What is Acrylamide?

Acrylamide compound, also known as Acrylic amide, was first synthesized in 1949 and is used as a raw material for the production of Polyacrylamide compounds. In April 2002, concerns about Acrylamide toxicity in food were raised and noticed when the Swedish Food Authority together with a research group from Stockholm University detected the formation of acrylamide in food. Some foods are cooked at high temperatures. A series of subsequent research results by Norwegian, Swiss, British and American scientists have further clarified the problem that Acrylamide products are generated from the reaction between Asparagine compound, which is an amino acid, with reducing sugars present in foods when heated to high temperatures.

A separate survey in Vietnam was conducted in November 2012 by the Institute of Public Health Hygiene (now the Institute of Public Health) in conjunction with the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Currently, potato chips on the market in Ho Chi Minh City contain the toxin Acrylamide. The team of scientists collected samples of potato chips and chips sold at fast food stores and retail stores in Ho Chi Minh City. The results found that all samples contained Acrylamide, the average was 842 µg/kg, the highest was 2957 µg/kg, the lowest was 334 µg/kg.

Regarding the toxicity of acrylamide compounds, through many experimental, the international organization for research on cancer IARC has classified Acrylamide in group 2A including substances (or mixtures) that can cause cancer in humans. In November 2013 the European Commission (EC) issued a document recommending that the control threshold for Acrylamide in the potato chip production line be 600 µg/Kg. Specifically, the Committee requires enterprises, factories, etc. of member countries to take action to review, inspect and change production methods if the content of potato chips exceeds the recommended threshold. According to the EFSA report, the concentration of this toxic substance has not decreased continuously in recent years. The EFSA has petitioned the European Commission (EC) to make regulations to reduce Acrylamide in products mandatory for food traders. According to Litvian Andriulaitis, the European commissioner for health and food safety, the new regulation "not only reduces the presence of carcinogens but also increases awareness about avoiding exposure to common substances. comes from home cooking”. Once the regulation comes into effect, regulators in Europe will plan to establish maximum acceptable levels of acrylamide in certain foods.

Not only other countries in the world but also in Vietnam have the same concern about the impact of this toxic substance in daily consumer products. The Ministry of Science and Technology has published TCVN 9776:2013 with the content "Code of practice for reducing Acrylamide in food". This International Standard provides guidance for the prevention and reduction of acrylamide formation in potato products and cereal products.

Testing for Acrylamide toxins in food at Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang

By applying the researched and improved QuEChERS technique combined with one of the most advanced analytical techniques available today, liquid chromatography with LC-MS/MS detector, Eurofins Hai Dang Chromatography company has developed and standardized analytical methods to meet the needs of detecting and quantifying Acrylamide toxins in food products with the best sensitivity (measurement range/quantification limit is 25 ug/Kg) and fastest analysis time.

In addition, with the cooperation project with Prof. Chu Pham Ngoc Son, Dr. Pham Thi Anh, and the Chemistry Association - Union of Science and Technology Associations of Ho Chi Minh City: “Surveying the possibility of forming Acrylamide in some chemicals potato samples on the Vietnamese market under heat effect based on Acrylamide analysis method by LC-MS/MS”, Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang team has extensive experience in consulting the testing of influencing factors. to toxin formation in the product in parallel with the results of the Acrylamide analysis. This helps customers understand and improve the ability to control toxins in the production chain.

Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang is an independent testing laboratory are accredited by the BOA and the authorities competent state such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natures Resources and Environment. We are ready to support exporters of Agricultural and Food products. 

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To send samples or find more information, please contact us at:

Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang

• Lot E2b-3, D6 Street, Hi-Tech Park, City. Thu Duc
• 4th floor - Building B, No. 103 Van Phuc Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
• Room 319, Vietnam - Korea High-Tech Incubator, Road No. 8, Industrial Park Tra Noc 2, O Mon District, City. Can Tho

Hotline: (+84) 28 7107 78 79 - press 1 (Sales Dept.)

Email: VN_CS@eurofinsasia.com