SACRAMENTO ? Potato chips and french fries could soon come with a warning label in California if the state’s top attorney prevails in a lawsuit filed Friday against nine fast food chains and snack-food makers.

Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer asked for a court order requiring McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Frito Lay and other companies to warn consumers that their fries and chips may contain acrylamide, a chemical the state says causes cancer.

At least one company disputes that, saying there is no evidence the substance is carcinogenic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently assessing the chemical in food.