Toxicology and Food Safety

Rimkus Toxicologists have significant experience in providing analyses to evaluate health effects associated with a variety of chemical, biological, drug, and alcohol exposures. We effectively communicate those complex scientific matters to a wide variety of audiences.

The impact of alcohol and drugs has been associated with vehicle injury/fatality accidents, workplace accidents, and lost productivity. Rimkus toxicologists have extensive experience investigating human exposures to illicit drugs, opiates, marijuana, prescription drugs, and alcohol. We routinely evaluate liability claims associated with potential impairment due to alcohol and drug consumption with respect to driving, working, or otherwise commuting.

The average person interacts with multiple consumer products every day, thus it’s important to understand the level of potential toxicity these products contain and how it may relate to potential health impacts. Rimkus has extensive experience evaluating the possible health risks posed by ingredients in these products.
We assist clients in understanding and addressing regulatory compliance and litigation matters, providing support for many issues regarding product safety and compliance.

News headlines of an alleged food poisoning case often garner public attention. Through the expertise of our toxicologists and food safety experts, we determine whether claimed illnesses are possible from exposures to contaminated food based on the scientific data.
One also expects consistency in manufactured food products, but off-flavor or off-spec constituents can change the game suddenly. At Rimkus, we've investigated off-flavor or off-spec food products, including pet and animal feeds and exotic foods, allowing the affected parties to resolve disputes and claims so they can get back to business.
Along the food supply chain, there are many sources of substances that can expose consumers to potential health hazards and may result in significant injury claims. Our toxicologists, food safety experts, and industrial hygienists review food-related claims from a health-risk perspective related to the toxicology of the substances involved, the amount of exposure, and the merits of the allegations of harm or product damage.

Rimkus professionals have extensive experience across a wide range of food safety-related investigations. We determine compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements and conformance with Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures. Our team can evaluate food additives and packaging materials and review food handling procedures and production processes. We help clients identify the nature and cause of food contamination from raw materials handling, processing, and packaging. We also recommend modifications and quality control systems to mitigate food contamination.

Rimkus toxicology experts and industrial hygienists work together to evaluate occupational and environmental exposures, and possible associated health effects, including those related to COVID-19. Our team has extensive expertise in the evaluation of occupational or environmental exposures to a broad range of substances including infectious agents, mold, chemicals, solvents, hydrocarbons, pesticides, benzene, toxic metals, silica, and asbestos.

Our consulting experience also extends to conducting pharmaceutical health hazard assessments due to transport and storage issues. These matters involve the evaluation of pharmaceutical adulteration and integrity claims associated with excessive temperature excursions, microbial contamination, bodily fluid contamination, or animal waste contamination.