Assessment of the genotoxicity of acrylamide. 2022

, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi

EFSA was requested to deliver a statement on a recent publication revisiting the evidence for genotoxicity of acrylamide (AA). The statement was prepared by a Working Group and was endorsed by the CONTAM Panel before its final approval. In interpreting the Terms of Reference, the statement considered the modes of action underlying the carcinogenicity of AA including genotoxic and non-genotoxic effects. Relevant publications since the 2015 CONTAM Panel Opinion on AA in food were reviewed. Several new studies reported positive results on the clastogenic and mutagenic properties of AA and its active metabolite glycidamide (GA). DNA adducts of GA were induced by AA exposure in experimental animals and have also been observed in humans. In addition to the genotoxicity of AA, there is evidence for both secondary DNA oxidation via generation of reactive oxygen species and for non-genotoxic effects which may contribute to carcinogenesis by AA. These studies extend the information assessed by the CONTAM Panel in its 2015 Opinion, and support its conclusions. That Opinion applied the margin of exposure (MOE) approach, as recommended in the EFSA Guidance for substances that are both genotoxic and carcinogenic, for risk characterisation of the neoplastic effects of AA. Based on the new data evaluated, the MOE approach is still considered appropriate, and an update of the 2015 Opinion is not required at the present time.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
May 2022, EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
January 2016, Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
July 2004, Journal of the National Cancer Institute,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
October 2004, Chemico-biological interactions,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
August 1995, Mutation research,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
September 2020, Archives of toxicology,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
January 2006, Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanita,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
June 2010, Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
December 2007, Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA,
, and Diane Benford, and Margherita Bignami, and James Kevin Chipman, and Luisa Ramos Bordajandi
January 2009, The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association,
Copied contents to your clipboard!