Acrylamide content in selected food products from the Bosnia and Herzegovina market.

Abstract

Dietary acrylamide exposure potentially poses health risks, including increased cancer risk and neurotoxic effects. There is no official data on acrylamide levels in food products on the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) market, making it challenging to assess the associated health risks. As a non-EU country, B&H lacks national regulations aligned with Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2158, which establishes benchmark levels and mitigation measures for acrylamide. This study used GC-MS to assess acrylamide content in fifteen food products from the B&H market, categorised as potato crisps/sticks, biscuits/wafers, and coffee. Acrylamide levels in some potato crisps and sticks, tea rings, and plain biscuits exceeded benchmark values, while levels in butter biscuits, biscuits with inclusions, filling or coating, wafers, and instant coffee, remained within acceptable limits. The highest acrylamide level was in potato sticks (1048.3 μg/kg), and the lowest in butter biscuits (23.8 μg/kg). Potato crisps/sticks had the highest average acrylamide levels (677.5 μg/kg), followed by tea rings and plain biscuits (444.5 μg/kg). Potato-based snacks accounted for the highest estimated dietary acrylamide intake. Most products exceeding benchmark levels originated from B&H, suggesting local producers might not fully apply mitigation strategies. These findings emphasise the need for regulatory reform, regular market monitoring, and targeted mitigation efforts.