Excerpt from Wicker Man's EHO Certification Manual
FOOD SAFETY: Alloy-plated Thermoses and Cadmium Poisoning
A father and his two sons became ill one hour after consuming pink lemonade that was being stored in a thermos for over three and a half hours. No other food was consumed. Their symptoms included sudden nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, some dizziness and fainting. One son ended up in hospital.
a) What do you suspect was the cause of their illness? Explain.
Heavy metal poisoning (Cadmium).
Acidic food or acidic beverages stored inside cadmium-plated (or cadmium and nickel alloy) thermoses for extended periods of time of (one hour or more) can cause the metals in the thermos lining to leach out. These metals then contaminate the stored food or beverage.
b) What are the two most serious acute health effects attributable to
ingesting high levels of cadmium?
Liver damage
Irreversible kidney damage
c) Name two serious health effects attributable to chronic cadmium exposure (via ingestion)?
Severe bone pain and osteomalacia (“itai itai” syndrome).
Some patients lose their sense of smell (anosmia).
d) What information do you need to acquire to confirm your suspicion of heavy metal poisoning?
Laboratory results from juice samples taken, showing toxic levels of heavy metals.
Laboratory results from clinical samples taken, showing toxic levels of heavy metals.
e) What advice would you give the public about the use of thermoses for storing food and beverage?
Do not store juices, soft drinks, and acidic foods inside cadmium-plated (or cadmium and nickel alloy-plated) thermoses.
Avoid using cadmium plated thermoses. Use instead glass-lined thermoses or ones made of stainless steel.