There are three types of Adulterants. They are as follows.
1. Natural Adulterants: Natural toxic substances occur in poisonous Mushrooms, Prussic acid in seeds of apples, cherry etc,marine toxins, fish oil poisoning etc, Pollutants in air, water and land are also Natural pollutants.
2. Unintentional Adulterants: Some adulterants are added unknowingly by Pesticide residues, Droppings of Rodents, Insects, rodent bites and larva in food during its storage.
3. Intentional Adulterants:
- Addition of preservatives like Vinegar, Citric acid, Sodium bicarbonate, Hydrogen peroxide in milk, food flavors, Artificial sweeteners etc,
- Addition of chemicals like Calcium Carbide to ripen the bananas and Mangoes.
- Food colour like Metallic Lead is used to give colours for vegetables like Bitter Gourd, Peas etc
- Edible synthetic wax like Shellac or Camauba wax is coated on fruits like Apple and pear.