Many people have recently expressed concern over the adverse health effects of chips and crackers after it was only recently reported in the Vietnamese press that these foods contain carcinogens.
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| Fried potatoes are popular at fast food restaurants |
Foods cooked at over 120 degrees Celsius have been found to contain acrylamide, a chemical that has been found to increase the risk of cancer in all age groups. Fried potato products, such as chips and crisps are usually high in acrylamide.
The Food Safety Management Department under the Ministry of Health has asked the National Institute for Food Control to take at least three samples of chips from KFC franchises in Vietnam for testing. The results will be released on July 21.
The news has raised much concern among the public. Lan, a resident of Hanoi said, "My two children love chips. My family eats out every weekend and buy a big bag of them. If we're too busy to go out, I'll fry the potatoes at home. But now I'm worried for my kids."
Similar concerns have been echoed across the internet. One internet user shared that her son could consume three bags of crackers each day, but was determined to wean her family off these foods.
Meanwhile, some people seem to be unable or unwilling to give them up. Mai Phuong, a resident of Dong Da District, said chips and crisps are her daily snacks. The news frightens her, but she has no intention of changing her habits.
According to some the restaurants' owners, the sales of chips has fallen in recent days.