Metallic Taste in Food Could Mean a Number of Things

EMSL Analytical provides food testing services to help determine if there are metals or other contaminants in food products.

Cinnaminson, NJ

Taste is one of the five basic senses and if the food a person is eating has a metallic taste it could signal one of several things. First off the food could be contaminated with metals or even heavy metals. Secondly it could be the result of medications or medical conditions that the taster has developed.

If a food product has a metallic taste it can signal danger or simply ruin the taste of the food. Foods can develop this taste due to growing conditions and environmental contamination, processing, preparation and food storage techniques. For example if a food that contains a high acid content is stored in aluminum foil it could cause the food to develop a metallic taste. Another example would be if an opened canned food product is stored in the refrigerator for several days the food may take on a metallic taste.

Just as these conditions can occur in the home, they can also occur at food storage and processing facilities. Improper cooking and storage can impart metallic flavors to a food product. Likewise foods grown in soils or irrigated with water that has a high metal content could also impart metallic flavors to some foods. If this metallic taste is due to heavy metals, such as lead, mercury or other dangerous contaminants, then they could be dangerous.

If a person is taking certain medications or has undergone trauma, cancer, an infection or has various neurological or metabolic conditions some foods may appear to have a metallic taste. A distortion of one’s sense of taste is known as dysgeusias.

EMSL Analytical is leading provider of food and consumer product testing services. “When a food develops a metallic taste it could signal dangerous conditions,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical. “Even if the metallic tasting food is deemed safe to consume it may result in lost customers down the road due to poor product taste and quality,” he continued.

To learn more about food or consumer product testing services please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com, www.ConsumerProductTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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