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UPSC IAS - 2017
Consider the following pairs: 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?
Year Asked: 2017
A
1 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer
D. 1, 2 and 3
Detailed Explanation
All three pairs are correctly matched, so the answer is D. The core concept is the presence of contaminants and additives in everyday consumables, which connects to food safety and public health under GS-II and GS-III.
- Pair 1 (Lipstick and lead): Lead has been found in some cosmetic lipsticks as an impurity in pigments and colourants. Lead is a toxic heavy metal, so this pairing is correct.
- Pair 2 (Soft drinks and brominated vegetable oil): BVO was used as an emulsifier to keep citrus flavour oils suspended in soft drinks. It is toxic in large amounts and is not permitted as a food additive in India under FSSAI norms. The US has since banned it (2024), so the fact has changed.
- Pair 3 (Chinese fast food and MSG): Monosodium glutamate is a flavour enhancer widely used in Chinese cuisine. It is permitted in India within limits, so this pairing is correct.
Mains angle: food adulteration and the regulatory role of FSSAI and BIS.
Trap: Aspirants often reject pair 1 or pair 3 because of popular myths about MSG being harmful. Check the matching of the substance to the product, not the health debate around it.
This question appeared in UPSC Prelims 2017 GS Paper-1.
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