Francis Zammit Dimech has joined consumer association calls for local and EU authorities to tighten regulations and testing for a potentially cancer-causing chemical found in some foodstuffs.

The MEP said member states had to make a greater effort to protect consumers from exposure to acrylamide, and welcomed a European Commission statement that maximum allowed levels of the chemical for certain foods were currently being discussed with member states.

Acrylamide is a substance that forms naturally during high-temperature cooking and processing, such as frying, roasting and baking. It can be found in a variety of foods such as crisps and biscuits.

Lab tests have indicated that it increases cancer risk in animals.

Earlier this year, the European Consumers Association warned that many foodstuffs contained levels of the chemical that were higher than recommended levels, and called on the EU to make guidelines mandatory.

Malta’s consumer association had joined the ECA call.

Following the public outcry, Dr Zammit Dimech had tabled a question in the European Parliament, asking what the Commission was doing to keep levels of acrylamide low.

Commission vice-president Jyrki Katainen told the MEP that maximum levels for acrylamide in certain foods are currently under discussion with the Member States and highlighted controls that existing regulations required of food manufacturers and member states.