This paper proposes a new method for quantitative analysis of acrylamide in cereal-based foods and potato chips. The method uses reaction with trifluoroacetic anhydride, and analyses the resulting derivative by use of gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The effects of derivatization conditions, including temperature, reaction time, and catalyst, on the acylation reaction were evaluated. Chromatographic analysis was performed on an SE-54 capillary column. Under the optimum conditions, good retention and peak response were achieved for the acrylamide derivative. The analytical method was fully validated by assessment of LODs and LOQs (1 ng g(-1) and 25 ng g(-1), with relative standard deviations (RSD) 2.1 and 3.6, respectively), linearity (R = 0.9935 over the range 0.03-10 μg g(-1)), and extraction recovery (>96%, with RSD below 2.0, for acrylamide spiked at 1, 20, 50, and 100 ng g(-1); 99.8% for acrylamide content >1000 ng g(-1)). The method requires no clean-up of the acrylamide derivative before injection. The method has been successfully used to determine acrylamide levels in different commercial cereal-based foods, French fries, and potato chips.