contaminant
Any substance occurring in foodstuffs that was not added intentionally. Contaminants can arise from packaging, food processing and transportation, farming practices or the use of animal medicines. The term does not include contamination from insects or rodents
In food safety, a contaminant is a substance that is unintentionally present in food and may pose a risk to human health. Contaminants can come from the environment, food production and processing, packaging, or natural sources, and include things such as heavy metals, mycotoxins, or industrial chemicals.
EFSA assesses contaminants to determine whether their presence in food is safe. It evaluates their toxicity, how much people are exposed to through their diet, and whether certain groups may be at higher risk. Based on this work, EFSA provides scientific advice to support the setting of maximum limits and other measures aimed at reducing contamination and protecting public health.