Food Additives Quiz

1. Lecithin is used as a/an

• Antimicrobial agent
• Foaming agent
• Leavening agent
• Emulsifier

Answer: d)

Emulsifier: A food additive, which forms or maintains a uniform emulsion of two or more phases in a food.

2.  Which of the following is NOT a function of a food additive _____
   a) To maintain product consistency
   b) Maintain nutritive value
   c) Controlling acidity/alkalinity
   d) None of the mentioned

Answer: d)

• The entire mentioned are functions of food additives.

3. Statement 1: Food additives are divided into direct and indirect types.
   Statement 2: Direct food additives become a part of the food during packaging. These are in trace amounts.
   a) True, False
   b) True, True
   c) False, False
   d) False, True

Answer: a)

• Statement 1 is true. Statement 2 is false. Indirect food additives become a part of the food during packaging. These are in trace amounts. Direct food additives are added intentionally for a specific purpose.

4. What are Sequestrants?
   a) They are added to keep the food stable
   b) Form a complex ion with metals like copper, iron etc
   c) Added for color
   d) They keep the food oxidized

Answer: b

• Sequestrants form a complex ion with metals like iron etc. These metals trigger auto-oxidation. Hence, forming complexes prevents them from reacting with oxygen and leading to rancidity etc.

5. Statement 1: In control of yeast in industries, baking soda is added (which is sodium bicarbonate) react with an acid which is externally added to release carbon-di-oxide which escapes.
   Statement 2: Baking soda is a leavening agent. It is an additive.
   a) True, False
   b) True, True
   c) False, False
   d) False, True

Answer: b

Both the statements are true.