Consider the following pairs : Commonly used / consumed materials — Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them 1. Lipstick – Lead 2. Soft drinks – Brominated vegetable oils 3. Chinese fast food – Monosodium glutamate Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Lipsticks (1) have been found to contain traces of lead from pigments, a concern flagged by the US FDA and Indian studies.
• Brominated vegetable oil (2) was used as an emulsifier in citrus soft drinks; it is banned in the EU and Japan and was banned in the US in 2024.
• Monosodium glutamate (3), the flavour enhancer associated with 'Chinese restaurant syndrome', is controversial though FSSAI permits it with labelling.
• All three pairs are correctly matched.
• Hence 1, 2 and 3, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Pairs 2 and 3 are also correct.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Pair 1 (lipstick–lead) is also correct.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Pair 2 (soft drinks–BVO) is also correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.