The European Food Safety Authority has linked the presence of acrylamide -a chemical produced by the same process that browns food – to potentially increased cancer risks in consumers of all age groups.

The EFSA said: “Coffee, fried potato products, biscuits, crackers and crisp breads, soft bread and certain baby foods are important dietary sources of acrylamide.”

The food safety body has opened a public consultation on its findings, which will run until 15 September. The deadline for EFSA to adopt a final opinion is June 2015.

“Once finalised, EFSA’s scientific advice will support European and national decision-makers to consider possible measures to further reduce consumer exposure to this substance in food,” the EFSA said.