Regulations And Sustainability
In 2015, EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, confirmed that acrylamide is a carcinogen. EFSA expressed concern that acrylamide levels were too high, including in potato-based products.
This led to the EU member states in 2017 agreeing to establish advice on restriction measures and so-called reference levels, benchmark levels, for how high the acrylamide content should be avoided. The regulation was implemented in 2018.
In August 2020, the California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has proposed new legislation regarding Acrylamide concentration, reducing the maximum level of acrylamide to 280 ppb.
EU Regulations
The presence of acrylamide in foods was discovered in 2002 and has led to much research and testing of methods to reduce the acrylamide content.
In 2005, FoodDrinkEurope (FDE) published its first acrylamide toolbox, supported by the European Commission and national authorities. Since then, the toolbox has been updated 15 times, most recently in March 2019. FDE is constantly looking for research and methods that can contribute to reducing acrylamide levels.
BEUC, The European Consumer Organization, focuses on measures to reduce acrylamide levels in foods. In connection with the first World Food Safety day in 2019, BEUC published a press release on what the EU has done and what is still needed, including reducing the reference benchmarks and make them binding for food producers.
The EU Commission has in statements indicated that the maximum levels in certain foods will be tightened.
Sustainability
Zeracryl® wants to provide our share for achieving UN’s Sustainable Development goals. The United Nation 17 Sustainable development goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They adress the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential for sustainable development
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and production
Sustainable consumption and production is about doing more and better with less. It is also about decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, incereasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable lifestyles