Bad Food

Bad Food is any type of food item that has a negative effect when consumed. This has the effect of causing the item to be worthless most of the time or damage a player who is not paying attention to the description of the item and accidentally uses it. The effects can be to cause the Poison status or to reduce HP or MP. Many games have a way to overcome the ill effects of Bad Food, causing a minor or major benefit instead. Bad Food can also be removed from the inventory in some games by selling them for a very low price. Most bad food resemble a particular "good food" in the game.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
The Shiitake (known as Aminata muscara in Japanese versions) is the original Bad Food item. The Saturn version also has Smelly Rice. Bad Food in this game cause the Poison status. Because the Topaz Circlet in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night causes poison damage to increase health, consuming a Bad Food while wearing one does not cause poison and instead raises HP by one, which is the only way to get rid of such an item.

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair
Bad food reduces either HP or MP in this game, depending on the type of food it is.