A method of reducing a concentration of formaldehyde in an aqueous solution containing formaldehyde, hydroxyacetaldehyde and other sugar carbonyls is provided. The method includes adding an amino acid to the aqueous solution and maintaining the aqueous solution at a temperature for a duration sufficient for the formaldehyde and the amino acid to react according to a Maillard reaction to produce a final concentration of formaldehyde and a final concentration of hydroxyacetaldehyde in the aqueous solution. The final concentration of formaldehyde is substantially lower than an initial concentration of formaldehyde and the final concentration of hydroxyacetaldehyde is not substantially lower than an initial concentration of hydroxyacetaldehyde. An aqueous solution and a method of browning a foodstuff are also provided.
