Incidents and impacts of unwanted chemicals in food and feeds

Introduction Assessing the significance of unwanted chemicals in food is problematic. The evaluation of cause and effect of many unwanted chemicals in foods and feed is complicated by cumulative low doses and the delayed onset of symptoms. Objectives This paper reviews incidents of unwanted chemicals in food and feed where people were adversely affected, or where an unusually high level was found and traced to a particular event and for which some socio-economic impact information was available. Methods Incidents and impacts were identified from the peer-reviewed scientific literature, from governmental websites, from Internet searches, from trades and consumer associations and media releases. Results Some 44 major events were identified from 1888 to date. Information on the impacts of these incidents is fragmentary and unsystematic, ranging from thousands of Euros to meet the cost of monitoring analysis, to many millions of Euros due to court prosecutions, bankruptcy, product disposal, revenue loss compensation, damage to brand or reputation, or loss of life. Conclusion An evolution is apparent from the evidence of human health effects/toxicity data, igniting legal action and legislative changes, to the implementation of monitoring and surveillance alerts to ensure that risks are identified and managed if possible before they reach the consumer.