• April 27, 2007

The fast-food giant has agreed to post a warning that reads, in part: "Cooked potatoes that have been browned, such as French fries, baked potatoes and potato chips, contain acrylamide, a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer .... It is created in fried and baked potatoes made by all restaurants, by other companies, and even when you bake or fry potatoes at home."

The agreement and a $341,000 penalty is part of a lawsuit brought by the California attorney general against KFC, Burger King, Wendy's, McDonald's, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Heinz and Kettle Foods.

Acrylamide is found in coffee, toasted cereals and breads. The AG's office said a serving of fries or chips has about 82 times more than is allowed in drinking water.

BK and Wendy's are reportedly in settlement talks. The other defendants are not in such talks yet.

--Nina M. Lentini