UPSC Prelims 2017 Question:

Consider the following pairs:

Sl. No.	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?

Explanation: 

• Over the years, there have been reports alleging dangerous levels of lead in lipstick. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has analyzed hundreds of lipsticks and other cosmetic lip products, such as lip glosses, for lead. However, it was found that levels of lead in these products were below the detection limit of about 7 ppm. So, pair 1 is correctly matched.
  
  
• Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) is a vegetable oil that has bromine added to it. It

             is used in small amounts to keep the citrus flavour from floating to the top in some 

              Beverages. Its use in soft drinks is an underrated source of human organobromine 

              Intake. Its use is banned as a food additive in Europe and Japan. So, pair 2 is correctly 

              matched

• Monosodium glutamate (MSG), is a white crystalline substance, a sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid. It is an important ingredient in the cuisines of China and Japan. There have been reports that MSG ingested in large amounts may produce such physical reactions as burning sensations, facial tightness or pressure, and a tingling sensation in some individuals. These hypersensitive reactions were first reported in 1968, are known as MSG symptom complex—or, more informally, “Chinese restaurant syndrome” because cooks in some Chinese restaurants may use MSG extravagantly. So, pair 3 is correctly matched.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Miscellaneous(s&t)