Yes, that dichotomy is present everywhere in the real world.
You need lye to make proper bagels. It is not merely harmless, but beneficial in small amounts for that purpose. We still must make sure food businesses don't contaminate food with it; it could cause severe — possibly fatal — esophageal burns. The "A little is beneficial but a lot is deleterious" also applies to many vitamins… water… cops?
Trying to turn this into an “it’s either always good or always bad” dichotomy serves no purpose but to make straw men.
You need lye to make proper bagels. It is not merely harmless, but beneficial in small amounts for that purpose. We still must make sure food businesses don't contaminate food with it; it could cause severe — possibly fatal — esophageal burns. The "A little is beneficial but a lot is deleterious" also applies to many vitamins… water… cops?
Trying to turn this into an “it’s either always good or always bad” dichotomy serves no purpose but to make straw men.