California’s top attorney seeks warning on potato chips, fries

LOS ANGELES – Potato chips and french fries could soon come with a warning label in California if the state’s top attorney prevails in a lawsuit filed Friday against nine fast food chains and snack-food makers.

Attorney General Bill Lockyer asked for a court order requiring McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Frito Lay and other companies to warn consumers that their fries and chips may contain acrylamide, a chemical the state says causes cancer.

Acrylamide, a byproduct of chemicals and high heat, has been found at low levels in several foods. The lawsuit focuses on french fries and chips because they have more acrylamide than other foods, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Frito-Lay spokeswoman Lynn Markley said there was no scientific evidence that acrylamide causes cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently assessing the chemical in food.