Adulterant: meaning, definitions and examples

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adulterant

 

[ əˈdʌltərənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

food safety

An adulterant is a substance that reduces the quality of a product, often for illegal or unethical reasons. In food products, adulterants can be harmful chemicals or inferior materials added to increase volume or weight, leading to potential health risks.

Synonyms

admixture, contaminant, impurity

Examples of usage

  • The presence of adulterants in the honey raised serious health concerns.
  • Food inspectors are trained to detect common adulterants in various products.
  • Consumers are advised to be aware of adulterants in spices that may affect their health.
  • The factory was shut down for repeatedly using adulterants in their products.

Translations

Translations of the word "adulterant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adulterante

🇮🇳 अशुद्धता

🇩🇪 Verunreinigung

🇮🇩 pencemar

🇺🇦 добавка

🇵🇱 substancja zanieczyszczająca

🇯🇵 混入物

🇫🇷 adulterant

🇪🇸 adulterante

🇹🇷 katkı maddesi

🇰🇷 불순물

🇸🇦 مادة ملوثة

🇨🇿 adulterant

🇸🇰 adulterant

🇨🇳 掺假物

🇸🇮 adulterant

🇮🇸 blanda

🇰🇿 арзандатқыш

🇬🇪 დამატკი

🇦🇿 qarışdırıcı

🇲🇽 adulterante

Etymology

The word 'adulterant' originates from the Latin verb 'adulterare', which means 'to adulterate or corrupt'. The root 'adulter-' refers to the action of mixing or contaminating a substance, while the suffix '-ant' implies a substance that performs a particular action. The term has been used throughout history to describe substandard additives that compromise the integrity of food and other commodities. Concerns about food safety and the presence of adulterants have led to the establishment of regulations and standards aimed at protecting consumer health and ensuring product quality. Over time, the term has come to encompass a broader range of substances that may compromise the purity and safety of various products.