The hottest Food Fraud Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Food & Drink Topics

228 | When food fraud turns deadly: milk adulteration kills 6 people |

The Rotten Apple • 157 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Mass balance exercises are a practical, defensible way to track ingredient flows in food facilities. Using clear steps and downloadable templates makes them easier to perform on the factory floor and in audits.
  2. A fatal milk contamination in India involved industrial ethylene glycol entering milk from a leak in an unlicensed chilling system, causing multiple deaths and critical illnesses. Operating without proper licences or using non-food-grade chemicals creates extreme consumer safety risks and legal consequences.
  3. A Salmonella outbreak linked to moringa powder involved a strain resistant to all antibiotics used to treat Salmonella, which is a major public-health and treatment concern. Food fraud and contamination incidents keep taking diverse forms, so ongoing vigilance, testing, and enforcement are essential.

230 | Hidden Traps in Food Testing: Lessons from a Lawsuit |

The Rotten Apple • 31 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Lab test results can be misleading because different methods measure different things; some fat substitutes show up as “crude fat” in standard tests even though they add almost no nutritive calories.
  2. Nutrition labels can be technically defensible yet still confuse shoppers when non‑nutritive ingredients are counted as fat, creating a gap between regulation and consumer expectations that fuels disputes.
  3. Many food businesses have food‑defence blind spots — poor access control, weak monitoring, siloed responsibilities and infrequent reassessment leave products vulnerable, while authorities are starting to use AI tools like TraceMap to better detect fraud and outbreaks.

229 | Hell in a hand basket |

The Rotten Apple • 63 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Major Middle East shipping lanes are being closed or avoided, forcing ships to reroute around Africa and lengthening transit times; that raises freight and insurance costs and threatens perishable cargoes.
  2. Disruptions to Gulf oil and gas are pushing up fuel and fertiliser prices and cutting fertilizer availability, which will raise farming and processing costs and could reduce food production worldwide.
  3. Buyers are diversifying suppliers to cope, but higher prices, diverted cargoes and rushed sourcing increase the risk of food fraud and safety problems like mislabeling, counterfeit goods, expired products and mycotoxin contamination.

227 | Food Fraud ↔ Food Safety: Lessons from the Peanut Supply Chain |

The Rotten Apple • 84 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Unsafe crops (like aflatoxin‑contaminated peanuts) can push sellers to commit fraud, shipping goods through illicit routes so contaminated food reaches consumers. This kind of fraud raises both economic and health risks because it often involves forged certificates and bypassed testing.
  2. Sudden trade spikes in transit countries, unexplained price drops, and porous borders or corrupt officials are clear red flags and enablers of food fraud. Businesses should watch trade data and supply chains for these warning signs.
  3. Glyphosate is used widely and remains controversial: legal rulings, scientific debate, and political pressures show its safety is uncertain while residues can enter food when sprayed on crops before harvest. That uncertainty makes it a major food‑safety and policy issue for the food system.

Food Safety News and Resources | March

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Several unusual and large recalls occurred: frozen grated coconut was recalled for confirmed Hepatitis A contamination, and U.S. producers expanded a recall to about 37 million pounds of frozen meals after glass was found in carrots.
  2. International risk guidance changed: the FAO/WHO panel recommends lowering the reference dose for gluten from 5 mg to 4 mg for risk assessments, while 'gluten-free' labeling remains defined as 20 mg/kg or less.
  3. Food safety threats and capacity concerns are rising: dietary PFAS—especially from freshwater fish, shellfish, eggs and milk—often exceed safety thresholds, and U.S. food agencies have lost many staff, which could weaken oversight and response.
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226 | Herb fraud shock | Data exchange in traceability |

The Rotten Apple • 73 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Herbal products showed alarmingly high rates of mislabelling and adulteration, with some popular botanicals often replaced or diluted and many samples containing undeclared species.
  2. The choice of test matters: ITS2 metabarcoding found far more hidden ingredients and fungal contamination (including potential mycotoxin producers) than conventional DNA barcoding, revealing bigger safety risks.
  3. Traceability and supply-chain controls must be tightened — FSMA requires passing specific Key Data Elements at each handoff, industry is standardising on GS1/EDI methods, and small supplier maintenance failures (like frayed cables shedding copper) can cause massive, cross-border recalls so incoming packaging must be inspected and suppliers managed closely.

223 | What 795 Food Fraud Cases Tell Us About Risk | Pesticide MRLs | Cereulide Root Cause

The Rotten Apple • 94 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. A new analysis of 795 food fraud cases shows many fraud incidents also create real food safety risks, so food fraud should be treated as a food safety issue, not just an authenticity problem.
  2. Although 98% of food samples meet pesticide MRLs, the remaining 2% clusters around specific commodities, origins and substances and causes most border rejections and reputational damage; companies must move MRL compliance upstream with supplier guarantees, targeted testing and tighter procurement controls.
  3. The infant formula cereulide problem may be linked to a recent change in ARA-enriched oil production using microalgae and a Bacillus licheniformis protease, highlighting that process changes can introduce unexpected toxin risks and need fast, thorough investigation.

225 | Top 5 NCs | 6 Parmesan Facts |

The Rotten Apple • 52 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Parmigiano Reggiano is a legally protected cheese made only in a specific Italian zone under strict rules, and its high value makes it a major target for counterfeiting and theft.
  2. Food-safety audits show hygiene, cleanability and maintenance problems (like poorly designed equipment, doors, walls and chemical controls) are the most common non-conformances, so fixing hygienic design and pest-proofing cuts a lot of risk.
  3. Food fraud is an ongoing threat with serious incidents (fake milk powder, counterfeit meat) and the response includes intelligence platforms, expert talks and events to share detection methods and strengthen authenticity controls.

224 | Seek and Destroy: Real-world lessons in Listeria eradication |

The Rotten Apple • 52 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Listeria can hide deep inside equipment parts like conveyor belt fibres and hollow rollers where surface swabs and routine cleaning miss them.
  2. Eradicating persistent Listeria often requires a multifaceted 'seek and destroy' approach — thorough disassembly, chemical and heat treatments, intensive sampling — and sometimes replacing the contaminated equipment to stop product contamination.
  3. Reports that food fraud is “surging” may overstate the trend because higher counts can reflect increased awareness and enforcement; nonetheless food fraud remains widespread with many ongoing incidents, so vigilance and tools like webinars and resources are still needed.

222 | How does cereulide get into infant formula? Which GFSI Scheme is Best? |

The Rotten Apple • 52 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Cereulide in the infant formula recall likely came from a contaminated ingredient, possibly ARA oil made by fungal fermentation, where the toxin from a starchy fermentation substrate could partition into the oil.
  2. Cereulide is a heat‑stable, highly potent emetic toxin produced by Bacillus cereus in starchy materials; once formed it survives cooking and reheating, so control relies on preventing bacterial growth (rapid cooling, cold storage ≤5 °C, strict hot‑holding or discard rules).
  3. Pick a GFSI certification that fits your target markets, company maturity, local auditor availability and budget because there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all; importantly, GFSI clarified auditors with equivalent industry experience (not just degrees) remain eligible, easing the auditor shortage.

The Food Safety Impact of Food Fraud: What 795 Food Fraud Cases Tell Us About Real Risk

The Rotten Apple • 42 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Food fraud creates food safety risks. New research has measured how often fraud incidents also pose safety hazards by analyzing 795 cases.
  2. Not all fraud is equally dangerous: the study categorizes which types of fraud, which hazards, and which foods are most likely to cause safety problems.
  3. The findings give practical guidance for industry to prioritize monitoring and prevention so resources target the fraud types and food products that pose the biggest safety risk.

221 | The Worst and Weirdest Food Frauds of 2025 |

The Rotten Apple • 42 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. A food-safety newsletter grew its audience in 2025 and plans to keep offering more events, resources, podcasts and curated content in 2026.
  2. Food fraud in 2025 was widespread and often disgusting or dangerous. Examples included toxic chemicals on sprouts, heavily contaminated juice, recycled 'saliva oil', meat substitution, reprocessed expired cheese and illegal bushmeat.
  3. Regulators and law enforcement carried out seizures, arrests and large recalls, and ongoing alerts (like a major infant formula recall and stolen green coffee) show that businesses and consumers need to stay vigilant.

219 | What Changed in Food Safety This Year |

The Rotten Apple • 31 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Big shifts happened in food safety this year — especially staff and resource cuts in the U.S. — while many countries tightened rules on packaging, food-contact materials and traceability, and serious incidents like heat-and-eat Listeria outbreaks and a radioactive shrimp recall show risks still persist.
  2. A wide range of emerging hazards are being tracked globally, from new pathogens and plant toxins to climate-driven mycotoxin changes; one notable rising foodborne threat is Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause severe illness when contaminated juices or foods are consumed.
  3. Food fraud remains a major problem: honey adulteration has become so tangled that rice syrup is being sold as a honey alternative, and organised crime is relabelling expired products at scale, highlighting the need for better traceability and enforcement.

214 | Pasta Disaster: Case Study of a Food Safety Train Wreck |

The Rotten Apple • 42 implied HN points • 10 Nov 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. The pasta disaster involved a long-lasting listeria outbreak that started before recalls were issued, showing a lack of urgency in addressing food safety issues.
  2. Mistake-proofing systems in food manufacturing, like poka yoke techniques, can help reduce errors and improve safety and efficiency.
  3. Investigating contamination sources is complex, and food ingredient safety can't be solely based on testing; audits and monitoring systems are crucial.

218 | A Practical Guide to Food Safety Consultants |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Food safety consultants can design and fix food safety systems, run audits, train staff and help manage recalls. Define your needs up front, check credentials and references, agree the scope and costs (often US$50–$300/hr) before hiring.
  2. Lawsuits over ultra‑processed foods are growing and could widen legal scrutiny of big food makers. Food safety professionals should watch these cases and review their job responsibilities and contracts since legal actions might try to involve technical staff.
  3. New free food fraud resources — including a public database and a collection of ten case studies — are available to use in training and prevention. Use these curated materials and news to improve fraud detection, supplier checks and staff awareness.

217 | Introduction to an illegal colourant | Tomato paste dramas | Glove safety

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Illegal food colorants, like Auramine O, can be harmful and are often used to boost food's appearance. They can make spoiled food look better, which is dangerous for consumers.
  2. The tomato paste market is facing a potential fraud crisis due to oversupply from China and a drop in demand from Europe. This can lead to deceptive practices in food labeling and quality.
  3. PVC gloves for food handling may not be safe because they can break easily and contain harmful chemicals. There are calls to ban these gloves in favor of safer alternatives.

215 | A Case Study With a Happy Ending (for once!) | Intro to Food Irradiation |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Food irradiation uses controlled doses of radiation to kill germs and pests, helping to keep food safe without making it radioactive. It's useful for extending shelf life and preventing spoilage.
  2. A labeling error in almond milk almost caused a serious illness due to botulism because the company didn't clearly state that it needed refrigeration. This shows how important accurate food labeling is for safety.
  3. The presence of harmful chemicals in food packaging can pose health risks, leading to numerous alerts in Europe. It's important for food safety that all materials used in packaging are safe and comply with regulations.

220 | The worst and weirdest food safety moments of 2025 |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. 2025 saw a string of bizarre and serious food hazards — from frozen snakes and radioactive shrimp to anthrax, infant botulism, and deadly Listeria — showing contamination can be unexpected and severe.
  2. Failures across the supply chain made outbreaks worse: companies and suppliers sometimes had poor sanitation, relied on negative test results, mishandled recalls, and retailers failed to pull dangerous products from shelves.
  3. These events show lasting risks: foodborne exposures can cause long-term health problems, myths and fraud (like thinking hand sanitizer removes allergens) increase danger, and stronger prevention, testing, and communication are needed.

196 | Chocolate Fraud, Chocolate Safety, Chocolate Mysteries |

The Rotten Apple • 52 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Chocolate is loved for its unique taste and texture, thanks to ingredients like cocoa butter that melt in your mouth. It also contains chemicals that can boost mood and energy.
  2. The supply chain for chocolate faces many challenges, including climate change and ethical issues like child labor. These problems can affect both production and pricing.
  3. Food safety for chocolate is a concern due to risks like contamination and fraud. Issues like undeclared allergens and misleading labeling can put consumers at risk.

173 | Mystery Poisonings Stalk Citizens | 14 Rules for Bad Quality Managers|

The Rotten Apple • 115 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. There have been many mysterious food poisonings, especially in South Africa, affecting children. It's alarming and the actual causes are not clear yet.
  2. Illegal pesticides may be contaminating food sold in local shops, which is a big concern for public health. Experts and authorities are looking into how this is happening.
  3. Food safety regulations are being updated to better control who can sell food and how it's handled. This might help prevent future poisonings and boost food safety.

198 | Seed Oils: Unsafe or Not? | STEC in flour |

The Rotten Apple • 42 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Seed oils are being criticized a lot lately, but the science doesn't strongly support these fears. They're actually common and safe in moderation.
  2. Food fraud is a real issue, where bad ingredients like sand can end up in products like sugar. This can cause big problems for companies.
  3. There's a risk of harmful bacteria, like STEC, in flour. It's important to be careful with raw flour products to avoid foodborne illnesses.

194 | Deadly Listeria in Heat-and-Eat Meals |

The Rotten Apple • 42 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. There was a serious outbreak of Listeria linked to heat-and-eat pasta meals that resulted in multiple illnesses and deaths. It's unusual for such outbreaks to come from foods that are meant to be cooked before eating.
  2. Authorities are investigating why the Listeria was present despite the meals being labeled to be heated thoroughly. We don't know if the problem was in the cooking instructions or if consumers didn't follow them properly.
  3. There are concerns about consumer habits, like cross-contamination and not cooking food enough, which can lead to health risks. Companies may need to ensure their foods are safe even if consumers don't follow instructions.

121 | When Food Fraud Goes (Horribly) Wrong | Sniffing Supplements |

The Rotten Apple • 283 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Food fraud perpetrators do not aim to harm consumers, as that increases the risk of getting caught.
  2. Accidental harm can occur from food adulteration, like plaster of Paris being mistakenly used instead of a harmless substance.
  3. Allergen cross-reactivity can lead to serious consequences for allergenic individuals and cause issues in food testing.

120 | Heavy Metal Takeaways | King Canute in Food Safety | $5m Food 'Fraud' |

The Rotten Apple • 241 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Food Fraud
  1. Contaminated cinnamon had lead levels over 2000 times the safe limit, prompting food fraud vulnerability assessment recommendations
  2. Ecuadorian cinnamon supply chain was affected by contamination, possibly due to adulteration with lead chromate
  3. Understanding verification vs validation in food safety: Check procedures vs. ensuring procedures deliver the required results

200 | 4 Years of Food Safety, Food Fraud and Sustainable Supply Chains |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. The newsletter focuses on food safety and food fraud, giving valuable updates every week. It's designed to help professionals and the public stay informed about important trends and news.
  2. Celebrating four years of running, there are special offers for group subscriptions that can save companies a lot of money. It's a great chance for teams to stay updated together.
  3. Past popular articles highlight serious issues like food fraud and allergen recalls. These topics are crucial for awareness about food safety and potential risks.

174 | The Nitty-Gritty of Risk Assessments | Food Waste Follow-up |

The Rotten Apple • 52 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. A food safety risk assessment helps determine how likely it is for something harmful in food to make you sick. This process looks at the chance of illness and how serious it could be.
  2. Recent cases showed that salad can lead to food poisoning if it gets contaminated. In one incident, a salad caused many airplane passengers to fall ill due to a toxin from bacteria.
  3. A huge amount of food is wasted globally, especially at home. Efforts and resources are being shared to help people reduce food waste effectively.

165 | 7 Food Safety Risks for 2025 | Food Defence Case Study | Crackers |

The Rotten Apple • 52 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Cyberattacks can threaten food safety, especially for people with allergies. A recent case showed how menu tampering could harm those sensitive to allergens.
  2. Seven new food safety risks for 2025 have been identified, including issues like allergen management and e-commerce fraud. These are becoming more important as food production changes.
  3. Menu software is often overlooked in food defense systems, but it can be a security risk. Businesses need to ensure that this software is protected just like other critical systems.

176 | Surprising Fraud in a Cheap Food | Planning for Crises |

The Rotten Apple • 31 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Crisis management is important in the food industry. Having a plan helps businesses respond quickly to issues and reduces damage.
  2. Rice fraud is surprisingly common, with many incidents occurring that involve mislabeling and smuggling. It shows that even everyday foods can be at risk.
  3. Being honest during a crisis can help maintain customer trust. Transparency in communication is key to managing a company's reputation.

Food Fraud Incidents 2025 (Searchable List)

The Rotten Apple • 31 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. There is a searchable list of recent food fraud incidents from 2025. This can help people easily find information on specific cases.
  2. Incidents before September 2022 are stored in a database on Trello for reference. It's good to have a place to look for older information too.
  3. New insights about food vulnerabilities are still being added to this database, showing that the issue of food fraud is ongoing. Keeping up with this information is important for everyone's safety.

199 | Olive Crisis Update (is it over now?) | A Comprehensive Guide to Glass Management |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Olive oil is often targeted by fraudsters because it's valuable and has many grades, making it hard for people to tell what's real. Buying from trusted vendors can help reduce the risk of fraud.
  2. The olive oil industry faced a crisis due to climate change and diseases like Xylella fastidiosa, which caused significant crop losses. While harvests are recovering, ongoing challenges from pests and droughts remain.
  3. Recently, the number of reported olive oil fraud cases has increased, especially during times of high prices. As supplies improve and prices stabilize, fraud rates might go down, but olive oil will always be at risk.

197 | STEC On The Rise? | Insider Warning: Sugar Adulteration! |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. STEC infections are at a record high in Europe, but some of this might be due to better testing methods that can catch more cases.
  2. The most affected groups are young children and the elderly, who represent most of the serious cases and fatalities related to STEC.
  3. Preventing STEC infections still relies on good hygiene practices and proper cooking, as the sources of the bacteria in food and water have not changed.

177 | Honey Fraud Fight | Colour Coding Guide |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Honey is a common target for food fraud because it's valuable and easy to dilute or mix with cheaper sweeteners. Many consumers may not realize that some honey products on the market are fake or mixed with other substances.
  2. Testing for honey authenticity is complicated and results can be inaccurate if the reference samples used are not reliable. There are various methods to detect fraud, but they often require additional confirmation.
  3. Changes in the U.S. food regulatory landscape could affect how food is made and what additives are allowed. This might lead to adjustments in popular food products, which consumers might find surprising in taste and appearance.

172 | Emerging Food Safety Risks | Reduce Your Food Waste in 2025 |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. The European Food Safety Authority has identified five emerging risks related to food safety that businesses should be aware of. It's important for food safety professionals to stay informed about these risks and their relevance.
  2. Reducing food waste is key for businesses looking to improve sustainability. Implementing strategies like setting targets, measuring waste, and taking action can lead to significant cost savings.
  3. A team approach involving various business functions can enhance food waste reduction efforts. Small changes across processes can make a big difference in minimizing waste and boosting profits.

170 | Sequelae: The Mysterious Long-term Outcomes of Foodborne Illness | Toxic Bean Sprouts |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Foodborne illnesses can lead to serious long-term health issues that people often do not realize. These can include conditions like arthritis and nerve disorders after an initial infection.
  2. Preventing foodborne illnesses is really important because it helps stop these serious health problems from developing later. Everyone in the food supply chain has a role in keeping food safe.
  3. The growth of food safety awareness is increasing, and there are plans for more live training and educational events. This is a great step towards ensuring better food safety practices.

169 | What Changed in Food Safety in 2024 |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Ultra-processed foods are becoming a food safety issue, not just a nutrition problem. More research shows they can lead to overeating and health issues.
  2. Food allergy awareness has improved, but there are still too many labeling mistakes that can have serious consequences. Professionals are now being held accountable for allergic reactions.
  3. Regulations in food safety are changing, especially around allergens and how we measure food safety culture. This could lead to stricter rules in the future.

167 | The Great Tuna Scam | Chemical Hazards in Paper Drinking Straws | Rescinded Recall (?) |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Seafood fraud is a big problem around the world, involving practices like mislabeling fish and using harmful drugs in aquaculture. There are even cases where cheap seafood is sold as more expensive types.
  2. Recent studies found that popular alternatives to plastic, like paper and bamboo straws, contain unhealthy chemicals called PFAS. This is surprising since these products are often marketed as eco-friendly.
  3. A recent food safety news story highlighted a rare situation where a recall was canceled due to a lab error. It reminds us that food safety investigations can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes.

164 | Food Fraud Special |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Food fraud prevention needs dedicated teams. These teams should include members from various departments to effectively address fraud risks.
  2. Underweight ingredients can be a form of food fraud if there's intent to deceive. If companies consistently deliver less than what was ordered, it could be seen as cheating customers.
  3. Staying informed about food safety and fraud trends is crucial. Changes in supply chains and economic conditions can create new opportunities for fraud.

178 | Global Food Fraud Trends | Honey Rules |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Food fraud incidents have remained stable over recent years, with no significant changes in the types of fraud reported. This means the same food items are often targeted year after year.
  2. Honey has become a bigger focus in food fraud discussions, with new regulations in place for imported honey to ensure its quality and authenticity in Europe.
  3. More reporting and attention from regulatory bodies may lead to an increase in reported incidents, but this doesn't necessarily mean there's more fraud happening; it might just reflect better tracking.

175 | Phyto-whatsit toxin? | Smoked Meat Safety | Announcing Our New and Improved Index

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Food Fraud
  1. Phytohaemagglutinin is a natural toxin found in raw beans that can cause serious stomach issues if not cooked properly. Always soak beans for at least 5 hours and boil them for at least 10 minutes to keep safe.
  2. Legumes are great sources of plant-based protein, but they can also carry antinutrients that affect nutrient absorption. It's important to know how to prepare them to maximize their benefits.
  3. Food professionals should be aware of cross-reactivity between different legumes, as some people can have allergies to multiple types. Proper knowledge can help avoid dangerous allergic reactions.