What are NOTS?
Naturally Occurring Toxic Substances (NOTS) are chemical compounds produced by living organisms such as plants, algae, or microorganisms. These substances, though natural, can be hazardous to humans when ingested through food. Commonly, these toxins are found in plants (as defence mechanisms), mold-infested products, microscopic algae & plankton (via contaminated fish/shellfish).
TESTING OF NATURALLY OCCURRING TOXIC SUBSTANCES (NOTS)
Naturally occurring toxic substances are toxic compounds that are naturally produced by living organisms. These toxins are not harmful to the organisms themselves but they may be toxic to other creatures, including humans, when eaten. These chemical compounds have diverse structures and differ in biological function and toxicity. Some toxins are produced by plants as a natural defense mechanism against predators, insects or microorganisms, or as consequence of infestation with microorganisms, such as mould, in response to climate stress (such as drought or extreme humidity). Other sources of natural toxins are microscopic algae and plankton in oceans or sometimes in lakes that produce chemical compounds that are toxic to humans but not to fish or shellfish that eat these toxin-producing organisms. When people eat fish or shellfish that contain these toxins, illness can rapidly follow. FARE Labs performs the testing of NOTS in the following food matrices as per FSSAI requirements.