House lizards can contaminate a meal but are not poisonous

The common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) is a familiar sight in many Indian homes. Clinging to the walls under the artificial light while hunting insects and known for its distinctive thik, thik, thik call, the reptile has adapted well around human life.

In many parts of India, lizards have a strong cultural significance. In the south, for example, astrological customs associate a lizard falling on different parts of a person’s body with various omens. In Odisha and the Northeast, lizards are or have been associated with traditional medicine.

But what does science say about the idea that a house lizard can poison food?