Which term refers to food that is potentially harmful to health due to unwanted substances?

The term that signifies food with potential health hazards due to unwanted substances is "contaminated food." This refers to food that may have been made unsafe for consumption through the introduction of harmful microorganisms, chemicals, or other foreign objects. Contamination can occur during any phase of food production, processing, or preparation, leading to foodborne illnesses or other health risks.

In contrast, unadulterated food indicates that the food is pure and has not been tampered with, meaning it is devoid of any harmful substances. Processed food involves food that has undergone any form of treatment to preserve or prepare it, which does not inherently suggest unsafe characteristics. Organic food is produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, suggesting a lower risk of harmful substances but does not automatically indicate safety from all types of contaminants. Therefore, the focus on the potential health hazards associated with unwanted substances directly applies to contaminated food.