Barbecued and grilled food When fat from grilled meats falls down on flames or hot coals, cancer-causing PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are formed. These PAHs rise as vapour and permeate the meat. Heavy charring of meats also produces high concentrations of PAHs carcinogens, such as benzopyrene. Some grilled chicken products may also contain a dangerous carcinogenic compound called PHIP, which is one type of heterocyclic amines (HCAs / HAs). In September 2006, a doctor's group sued seven leading fast food chains in the US because their grilled chicken contained PHIP. According to the president of this group, even a grilled chicken salad would increase the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer and other types of cancer.