Natural toxicants and contaminants in foods: Irrespective of whether a food is "natural" or not

There are many consumers who believe that everything that is “natural” is good and everything that is processed or artificial is bad. Some may forget that the description of being “natural” does not always equate with goodness. There are natural toxins, natural blights and natural disasters. This article considers the laws in Australia and New Zealand governing “natural toxicants”. These are inherently natural or environmentally introduced “contaminants”, that can be permitted substances to be present in foods in Australia and New Zealand, albeit in strictly limited levels. These derive mostly from specific products as they really occur in nature. These substances are limited in their use to avoid overdose, since this will cause serious detrimental health effects.