Chemical contamination of food

 Chemical contamination of food ?

Chemical contaminants are chemicals toxic to plants and animals in waterways. The phrase 'chemical contamination' is used to indicate situations where chemicals are either present where they shouldn't be, or are at higher concentrations than they would naturally have occurred.

Some of the common contaminants as per the FDA :

Environmental Contaminants :

Benzene

Dioxins and PCBs

Perchlorate

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Radionuclides

Processing Contaminants:

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (MCPD) Esters and Glycidyl Esters (GE)

4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI)

Acrylamide

Ethyl Carbamate

Furan

Chemical Contaminants Used for Economically Motivated Adulteration:

Melamine

common sources of contamination include the vehicle exhausts of diesel and petrol or cross-contamination in the vehicle being used for food transportation. Long-distance ships for transport are also often cross contaminated with chemicals used for disinfection. High barriers used for protection of food by wrapping it during long-distance transport are not always tested for their barrier properties, which makes it a cause of contamination. In the cleaning phase of food production and preparation, contaminants can invade due to the residues left from the disinfectants and cleaning agents on the surface of food handling equipment. The use of high temperature for cooking paired with external factors potentially leads to the formation of toxic compounds that leave an impact on the food safety and quality. Toxic compounds such as nitrosamines chloropropanols, acrylamide, furanes, or PAHs are formed during the food processing methods .

Packaging processes make use of several additives like stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, and slipping agents to improve the packaging material properties. Nevertheless, any direct or indirect contact with the food with the packaging material can result in the transference of these substances from the packaging into the food. Such a phenomenon is termed as migration. When metallic cans are used in packaging, corrosion stands as a source of food contamination due to the migration of metallic ions to food. Some of the contaminating factors include direct sunlight that speeds deterioration of food and packaging and adsorption of unwanted off-odors. 

The chemical contamination of food has emerged as a serious concern with potential health hazards in their wake. Majority of the food contamination occurs through naturally occurring toxins and environmental pollutants or during the processing, packaging, preparing, storage, and transportation of food.