Detection of Toxic Adulterants in Food

Current risk assessments combined with historical evidence indicate that soft targets such as the food and water supply may represent a point of entry for terrorist attacks. Detection of pathogens or toxic chemicals in food prior to consumption will require a systematic approach that yields an immediate and conclusive yes or no answer. Appealing Products, Inc. has developed a self-contained, deployable food security test kit that can detect sublethal concentrations of toxic chemicals (cyanides, azides, and sulfides) and metallic poisons (arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, thallium, and chromium) in a wide range of food matrices. The technology uses multi-layered tabs that rapidly change color (within minutes) when exposed to poisons at concentrations well below human health effect levels. The tabs are easy to use, sensitive, rapid, and reliable. In addition to independent lab validation, the kits have also been tested by individuals receiving only minimal instructions. Both trained and untrained personnel were able to complete blind tests of poisoned and non-poisoned food matrices and interpret the results as yes (poisoned) or no (nonpoisoned). The kit is commercially available as the KT-05 Poisons Detection kit; ordering information is available at http://www.chemsee.com.