Low-Acrylamide French Fry Acceptance: A Pilot Study

Concern about the safety of acrylamide in french fries led to the identification of potato varieties low in the acrylamide precursors asparagine and reducing sugars that vary with variety, nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications, and other factors, but produce light-colored fries, which may not appeal to consumers. New potato varieties shown to produce low-acrylamide fries, AF4296-3 and Easton, and an industry-standard variety, Russet Burbank, were fertilized at four N application rates (0, 112, 224, and 336 kg N/ha) in a 3 × 4 factorial design. Potato tubers from each of the 12 variety X fertilizer factorial combinations were processed into fries. French fries made from Easton and AF4296-3 potatoes fertilized with the lower N levels were less red (lower CIE a^* ) and yellow (higher b^* ) than Russet Burbank fries after frying. Forty-seven consumers rated the 12 samples (potato variety X N fertilizer rate) on a 9-point hedonic scale. Aroma, taste, and texture hedonic scores did not differ among samples. The mean hedonic color score for the Russet Burbank fries fertilized with 224 kg/ha (7.4) was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those for the AF4296-3 with 224 kg/ha N and Easton and 336 kg/ha N fries. After consumers were informed of the acrylamide content of fries relative to commercial products, the overall liking and purchase intent for Russet Burbank fries decreased. Education may be needed to inform consumers about the merits of whiter french fry color as a trade-off for reduced exposure to acrylamide, which is a probable dietary carcinogen. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: New potato varieties have lower concentrations of the compounds that form acrylamide during cooking. These varieties tend to brown less during frying than do common potatoes, resulting in lighter-colored and less golden-colored french fries. Consumer education may be needed to counteract potential consumer rejection of the fries made from these new varieties with information about the lower acrylamide content and increased safety of these foods.