California AG Says Settles Potato Chip Lawsuit

California settled lawsuits against four potato chip and french fry makers after the companies agreed to reduce the levels of a cancer-causing chemical in their product.

 H.J. Heinz, Frito-Lay, Lance Inc and
Kettle Foods, along with Procter & Gamble and four fast-food
chains — McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Wendy's– in 2005 for
selling potato chips that contained high levels of acrylamide.
Last
year the chains agreed to post acrylamide warnings at their
restaurants and pay civil penalties and costs. In January, Procter &
Gamble agreed to cut acrylamide in Pringles potato chips by 50
percent. Heinz, Frito-Lay, Kettle Foods and Lance had agreed to
sharply lower acrylamide levels as part of the settlement.
Acrylamide
is a byproduct of frying, roasting and baking foods, particularly
potatoes, that contain certain amino acids. In 2002, a study by
Swedish scientists discovered high levels of the chemical in fried
potato products.