What term refers to the harmful effects of consuming poisonous substances found in certain foods?

The term that accurately describes the harmful effects of consuming poisonous substances found in certain foods is foodborne intoxication. This condition occurs when a person ingests toxins that are already present in food, which can be produced by pathogens or through the breakdown of certain harmful substances. Foodborne intoxication differs from foodborne infection, where illness is caused by consuming pathogens that multiply in the body after ingestion.

In the context of the other terms: pesticides are chemical substances used to kill pests, mycotoxins refer specifically to toxins produced by molds that can contaminate food, and aflatoxin is a type of mycotoxin produced particularly by certain types of fungi. While all of these can lead to health issues, they do not encompass the broader category of harmful effects from consuming various poisonous substances found in food as effectively as foodborne intoxication does.