] A couple of years ago Swedish scientists discovered that
] acrylamide is dangerous. It's a "natural" byproduct of
] high-temperature cooking. Mega-doses of the stuff
] produces cancer in rats. The World Health Organisation
] confirms that the risk to humans is real. Acrylamide is
] found throughout the food chain and there are tiny
] amounts in tap water (among its other unlovely
] associations, the chemical used to purify sewage so we
] can drink it without puking). The highest concentrations
] are in what America calls fries and we call chips. Not
] enough to kill rats, but enough to cause concern.