Undesirable compounds found in foods, residues of agricultural chemicals (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilisers, etc.), through the manufacturing process or as a result of pollution.
By definition, any unwanted or undesired organism, compound, or molecule present in a controlled environment. Unwanted presence of an entity in an otherwise clean or pure environment.
A substance which contaminates something.
A chemical contaminant in a food is a substance which is not normally present in that food in its natural form or which is present in concentrations not normally found or which is not permitted under the food regulations to be present, or, being an additive as defined under the regulations, exceeds the concentration permitted.
A substance or organism that soils, stains, pollutes, or renders something unfit for use.
A substance, microorganism or virus accidentally introduced into a culture, substrate or medium; generally, any ‘ unwanted’ material in an experimental system.