A new PCRM study in
Nutrition and Cancer
:
An International Journal found
that grilled chicken items at leading chain restaurants are birds of a
feather when it comes to increasing cancer risk. An analysis of 100
grilled chicken items from McDonald’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A,
Chili’s, Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse, and T.G.I. Friday’s found that
all contained PhIP, the most abundant of a group of carcinogens called
heterocyclic amines (HCAs)—and the HCA likely to contribute most to
overall cancer risk.
The results, compiled from
independent laboratory tests commissioned by PCRM scientists, found
that the levels of PhIP contained in grilled chicken entrées, many of
which are considered “healthy” menu selections, could contribute
significantly to a person’s total intake of carcinogens and may play a
role in the development of breast, prostate, and other cancers.
“Grilled chicken is the largest source of PhIP, a potent carcinogen,” said Kristie M. Sullivan, M.P.H.,
a PCRM toxicologist who is the lead author of the new study. “We found
this carcinogen in every single sample of grilled chicken taken from
restaurants in every part of California.”
As
Americans increase their consumption of grilled or barbequed chicken
(from 43 percent of households surveyed in 1997 to 51 percent of
households in 2003) and eat outside of the home an average 5.6 times a
week, it’s especially important that they understand the cancer risks
associated with the consumption of grilled chicken served in popular
restaurants and fast-food chains.
The study found
that all 100 samples of grilled chicken contained detectable levels of
PhIP, which is found at particularly high levels in grilled and
pan-fried chicken.
|
Chain |
Item |
PhIP Present |
|
Applebee’s |
Grilled Italian Chicken Caesar Salad
Honey-Grilled Chicken Entrée |
YES |
|
Burger King |
Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich |
YES |
|
Chick-fil-A |
Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich |
YES |
|
Chili’s |
Grilled Caribbean Chicken Salad
Guiltless Chicken Platter Entrée |
YES |
|
McDonald’s |
Grilled Chicken Salad—Caesar |
YES |
|
Outback Steakhouse |
Chicken on the Barbie |
YES |
|
T.G.I. Friday’s |
Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken
Grilled Chicken Flavor Shots Entrée |
YES |
According
to recent studies, 70 percent of U.S. dietary intake of HCAs is PhIP,
which along with other HCAs, is formed from the creatinine, amino
acids, and sugar found in muscle tissue and is produced by long cooking
times and hot temperatures. As mutagens, HCAs can bind directly to DNA
and cause mutations—the first step in cancer development.
Shorter
cooking times may reduce HCA formation, but undercooking increases risk
of foodborne illness. Simple steps, such as avoiding the consumption of
grilled chicken in favor of plant-based protein sources, can reduce
one’s cancer risk.
All samples for this study were
collected in California, because California’s Proposition 65 states
that consumers must be warned about products that contain known
carcinogens. For more than a decade, PhIP has been on the California
governor’s list of chemicals known to cause cancer. In 2006, PCRM went
to court under California’s Proposition 65 to compel the seven
restaurant chains to warn consumers about the carcinogens formed in
their grilled chicken.
An abstract is available online at http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a902434974~db=all~order=page.
Authored and published by PCRM
