Q. 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?

• 1 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:

• The Maggi ban:
  • India’s favourite two-minute noodles lost 80% market share due to the presence of MSG (monosodium glutamate) as found by a UP food inspector.
  • Monosodium Glutamate
    • ​It is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which means it stimulates nerve cells to relay its signal.
    • Scientists claim that it leads to excessive stimulation of nerve cells and excessive glutamate in the brain.
    • For this reason, MSG has been labelled an excitotoxin.
• Brominated vegetable oil
  • It is a food additive used in certain soft drinks and fruit-flavoured beverages as a density stabilizer.
  • Bromine can irritate the skin and mucous membranes (the moist lining of the nose, mouth, lungs and stomach).
  • Long-term exposure can cause neurologic symptoms such as headache, memory loss, and impaired balance or coordination.
• Research by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found lead and other toxic metals in a surprising number of lipsticks.
  • Exposure to lead has been linked to a host of health concerns:
    • Neurotoxicity: It has been linked to learning, language and behavioural problems.
    • Reduced fertility in both men and women.
    • Hormonal changes and menstrual irregularities.
    • Delayed onset of puberty in girls and the development of testes in boys.