Barbecue: these mistakes not to make to avoid being exposed to carcinogenic substances

Quelques recommandations, pour un barbecue qui soit bon aussi pour la santé. Illustration Unsplash

La saison des barbecues est officiellement ouverte après un début d’été plutôt aléatoire du côté du ciel. Garantissant une cuisson qui sent bon les beaux jours, le barbecue nécessite néanmoins quelques précautions. On fait le point.

For many, summer means the smell of meat, fish or vegetables grilling on a barbecue. But for the summer to take place while taking care of our health, some precautions must be taken when embarking on this type of cooking.

Because barbecue cooking, through contact with the flame and the combustion of charcoal or firelighters, can expose you to toxic and carcinogenic substances.

"Cooking food at high temperatures, particularly in direct contact with the flame, leads to the formation on the surface of chemical compounds some of which, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and in particular benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), have properties carcinogens”, indicates ANSES (National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety).

The grill at least 10 centimeters from the embers

A few good things to know can help you avoid being exposed to these substances. L’Anses lists in particular the adjustment of the cooking height.

This makes it possible not to go beyond a temperature of 220 degrees, which corresponds to a grill located at least 10 centimeters from the embers.

Recommendations. Handles

Charcoal, fire starter… Choosing the right allies

Concerning the use of charcoal and firelighters, you must know how to choose those that are the least dangerous to your health. Thus, for coal, Anses recommends " favoring the use of purified charcoal (> 85 % carbon or category A) rather than regular charcoal", especially for people who frequently barbecue.

Concerning the fire starter, whatever form it takes, there is only one good thing to do: wait until it has burned completely before placing your food Grill. And if your embers run out, don’t use a new one to rekindle the fire.

Avoid fat in the flames

"Fat is life", some will say, but be careful all the same, when fat -it comes into contact with the embers and causes flames. These flames, in contact with the meat, "contribute to forming PAHs", recalls ANSES.

The agency then recommends "cover the hearth with a light carpet of ash, or remove visible fat from meats."