Acrylamide is an industrial chemical used in the production of polyacrylamides. Acute exposure to high doses of acrylamide in humans and animals results in changes in the central nervous system, and chronic exposure to lower doses causes peripheral neuropathy. Acrylamide is defined as a pollutant and poses a chemical risk in the food chain. Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2158, which has been in force since April 2018, defined mitigation measures to reduce acrylamide in food. Food business operators had to take measures to ensure that acrylamide levels were reduced in food production and preparation. Purpose: The purpose of these master's thesis was to test the knowledge on the acrylamide in food and compliance of the kindergarten kitchen staff with Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2158. Methods: In the research work we used a quantitative standardized method of the questionnaire. To convert the questionnaire into an electronic form, we used the EnKlikAnketa application, which enables an online survey service. Results: 166 people working in kindergarten kitchens participated in the research. 96% of respondents had already heard of acrylamide, 91% of respondents identified acrylamide as a carcinogenic chemical, and 97% of respondents correctly chose foods that may contain the highest amounts of acrylamide. We found out that most participants are aware of and comply with mitigation measures of Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2158, Annex II, Part A. The analysis revealed a correlation between the education level and the the knowledge on acrylamide and the consideration of mitigation measures. Discussion and conclusion: The results implied that the kindergarten kitchen staff is familiar with the hazards of acrylamide in the diet. We have developed a poster with the most important information on the acrylamide formation and a color scale for the appropriate baking of selected foods. This may assist the kitchen staff. Day to day compliance with mitigation measures could be verified in practice by sampling and chemical of prepared dishes for the to determine the actual situation in kitchens in the future. Interviews could be conducted with kitchen staff to find out their opinions and impressions on the topic.
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