Hamburgers & Fries Watch 12/1/10

Hamburger Watch - Day 35

French Fry Watch - Day 14

Is it just me, or do experiments sometimes create more questions than answers? I am considering starting another experiment. I am bored with the same old watch that is going nowhere. I want action! I want destruction! I want MOLD! Just like in this video.

You may not be able to tell, but in the picture above, on the left, the french fries on the right in the blue wrapper... On the top, there is a french fry with a dark spot that appears to be mold in a hole in the fry. We will just have to keep watching. The fries on the left are a little greasier than I remember.

Of course my fries on the right, in the picture on the right (the bottom group), have developed a little white fungus in a couple places and my fries in the same group, at the top, appear to be darkening on the inside.

Boring!!!

Here is the real scope!

Did you know that when we fry some foods, like french fries, a chemical process occurs that creates varying levels of acrylamide. Acrylamide caused cancer to animals exposed to high doses (based on studies) and causes nerve damage in people exposed to very high levels at work. Acrylamide forms from sugars and an amino acid during certain types of high-temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting, and baking (and some say in some microwaved foods). The FDA has not yet determined the exact public health impact, if any.

Heres the good news!!!

Part of the production process conducted by most suppliers of your favorite fast food fries is to put your fries through a blanching process that removes the excess sugars, so as a result (through logic) reduced formation of acrylamide. Ok, they still have to add the sodium acid pyrophosphate to help maintain color. And don't even get me started on the dimethylpolysiloxane added to the vegetable oil used to prepare the fries.

The reality is that fast food is not good for us for a lot of reasons and if we could survive on fruits and vegetables, we would be a lot better off. But who can resist the great tasting french fries that McDonalds has spent millions to perfect? There addicting... As McDonalds has intended.

Next update on Sunday.