What damage does burnt bread cause to humans, and does eating burnt bread cause cancer?

It's long been known that overheating, not to mention burning, certain foods can lead to the formation of compounds linked to cancer — but what about toast?

These include heterocyclic amines and so-called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can lead to fried or smoked foods posing a health hazard.

In the event the bread was burnt, most concerns surround the risk of formation of acrylamide, a compound linked to cancer and nerve damage in animals. However, the evidence for a direct link between cancer and acrylamide in the food consumed by humans is far from convincing. While some studies have indicated a doubled risk of ovarian and uterine cancer among women who consume this compound in food.

However health advisors in the European Union decided to take a precautionary approach, recommending that people avoid eating burnt bread or golden brown flakes because they may contain unacceptable high levels of acrylamide. The UK went so far as the Food Standards Agency stated that even brown toast poses an increased risk, and advises that toast be cooked to a golden yellow color.