Intentional Adulteration of Foods with Chemicals: Snapshot for 2009–2022

Abstract

Global occurrences of the intentional adulteration of food with a chemical toxicant culled from the literature and news reports from 2009 to 2022 were analyzed in terms of their ability to cause mass public health harm. A total of 76 intentional adulteration events that involved over 27 chemicals and 16 foods were identified. The chemicals used included pesticides, rat poisons, illicit drugs, and commercial chemicals. A total of 253 deaths and 4,887 illnesses were attributed to intentional adulteration events; there were deaths in 20% and illnesses in 50% of the events. Intentional adulteration during manufacturing, which accounted for 21 events (28%), resulted in 205 deaths (81%) and 3,572 illnesses (73%). Intentional adulteration at the food preparation node, which accounted for 17 events (22%), resulted in 39 deaths (15%) and 387 illnesses (8%). On-farm intentional adulteration, eight events (10%) resulted in 843 illnesses (17%) and no deaths. The perpetrators who were identified generally had legitimate access to the food, although in 63% of the cases studied, the perpetrator was not identified. Economically motivated adulteration and revenge resulted in over 80% of the deaths and illnesses.