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 ?
Show answer
Answer: D. Pair 1 is correct: lead has been found in many lipsticks, as US FDA tests showed, and a Centre for Science and Environment study (2014) found heavy metals in lipsticks sold in India. Pair 2 is correct: brominated vegetable oil has been used in some citrus soft drinks to keep flavours mixed, and it is controversial for health reasons (as of 2017; the US FDA banned it in 2024). Pair 3 is correct: monosodium glutamate is a common flavour enhancer in Chinese fast food. So 1, 2 and 3.
Watch for: Brominated vegetable oil is the least familiar name, so students drop pair 2.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because pairs 2 and 3 are also correct.
- B. Wrong because pair 1 is also correct.
- C. Wrong because pair 2 is also correct.
Source to check: US FDA, 'Lead in Cosmetics' survey of lipsticks; Centre for Science and Environment, 'Heavy metals in cosmetics' report (2014); US FDA notice revoking authorisation of BVO (July 2024); FSSAI food additive regulations
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.