Lecture 9 Flashcards
(25 cards)
What major legislation was influenced by concerns over food contamination in the early 1900s?
The Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act (which created the FDA).
Who is considered the father of toxicology and coined the phrase “The dose makes the poison”?
Paracelsus.
What are some examples of exposures through food?
Food components, additives, biologicals, contaminants, and toxicants formed during preparation.
What is a dose-response curve used for in toxicology?
To quantitatively describe the relationship between exposure to a substance and the resulting toxic effects.
What does GRAS stand for in food safety regulation?
Generally Recognized As Safe.
What are unavoidable contaminants, and how are they handled in regulation?
They are substances that remain despite good manufacturing; tolerances are established to manage risk.
Why is 1 part per billion of diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero significant?
Even low doses during development can have significant long-term health effects.
What does the microbiome have to do with food toxicology?
It plays a role in absorption and metabolism of food and toxicants
What are the main macronutrients and their approximate distribution in a Western diet?
Carbohydrates (47%), fats (37%), proteins (16%).
What is the difference between direct and indirect food additives?
Direct additives are intentionally added to food, while indirect additives enter food through packaging or processing.
How are color additives regulated differently from other food additives?
They are not eligible for GRAS and must often be certified.
What is the Delaney Clause?
A U.S. law that prohibits the approval of any food additive shown to cause cancer in humans or animals.
What are heterocyclic amines and where do they form?
Probable human carcinogens formed in cooked meat, especially the crust.
What toxic compound is linked to ALS-PDC in Guam?
Compounds from cycads, including BMAA and cycasin.
What are examples of marine toxins?
Ciguatera toxin, palytoxin, saxitoxin, domoic acid.
What are examples of microbial foodborne toxins?
Botulinum toxin, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli.
What are common concerns with drugs used in food-producing animals?
Residues in food products and tissue that may affect consumers.
What methodology is used to evaluate the safety of food additives?
Estimated daily intake, concern level assignment, and structure-activity relationships.
What concern exists with dietary supplements compared to regular foods?
They are less strictly regulated and can vary in concentration and content.
What kind of toxin is thallium, and what is a hallmark sign of exposure?
A metal toxin; scalp-limited alopecia (hair loss) is a hallmark symptom.
What is OPIDN and what causes it?
Organophosphate-Induced Delayed Neuropathy, caused by certain organophosphate exposures.
What is the role of concern level assignment in additive safety?
It categorizes additives based on structural toxicity to prioritize testing (e.g., Categories A, B, C).
Why is thallium poisoning often missed initially?
Its symptoms mimic other conditions and develop gradually over days.
What toxicological issues are associated with improperly prepared food?
Formation of carcinogens like heterocyclic amines, or toxins from molds and microbes.
