This spell allows the caster (only) to look at foods and see any substance harmful to the caster outlined in luminous purple flames (in the quantities present). The magic penetrates darkness, sauces, and such solid objects such as container lids and layers of meat. If a harmful substance is present, the caster can will the food to emit illusory, hissing black serpents visible to all. This can alert the provider of the food to the wizard's awareness of the threat-or give the caster an excuse for destroying the tainted material along with the dangerous snakes!
The material components of this spell are a berry from any poisonous plant (for example, deadly nightshade) and a piece of snakeskin.
Notes: Very rare spell. (Updated from Dragon Magazine.)