Commonly used/ consumed materials Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them
Lipstick – Lead
Soft drinks – Brominated vegetable oils
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
The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.
The Maggi ban:
Due to the presence of MSG (monosodium glutamate), India’s favourite two-minute noodles lost 80% of their market share, according to a UP food inspector. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.
Monosodium Glutamate
It is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it stimulates nerve cells for them to relay its signal.
According to scientists, it causes excessive nerve cell stimulation and glutamate build-up in the brain.
Hence, MSG has been classified as an excitotoxin.
Vegetable oil containing bromine
It is a food additive used as a density stabiliser in certain soft drinks and fruit-flavoured beverages. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.
Bromine can irritate the skin and mucous membranes (the moist lining of the nose, mouth, lungs, and stomach).
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered lead and other toxic metals in an unexpected number of lipsticks. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
