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FoodSurprise 5/5Difficulty 3/5Reviewed on September 15, 2026

Tomatoes were widely feared and considered poisonous in 18th-century Europe, earning the nickname poison apples, because wealthy people got sick after eating them off lead plates.

Why it is true

The acid in tomatoes reacted with the lead in the plates, causing lead poisoning, which was mistakenly attributed to the fruit itself, which is actually perfectly safe.

Source: Agricultural History

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