A food taster was an individual who sampled food or beverages being served to another person in order to determine if it contained poisons or other harmful substances. Such a service was typically performed for persons of importance or under threat of harm, such as . Cooks who were servants of the Acamarian Sovereign had the duty of being food tasters. Yuta performed this role for Sovereign Marouk in 2366. (TNG: "The Vengeance Factor" ) Maihar'du, among other roles, served as a food taster for Grand Nagus Zek. (DS9: "The Nagus")