MCQ 1. Why do food adulterators use Auramine O in roasted chana and sweets?
1. It is cheaper than permitted natural food colours.2. It gives a bright yellow sheen that increases visual appeal.
3. It enhances the nutritional value of food.
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
• Auramine is very cheap, industrial-grade → used for cost cutting.
• It gives a bright fake-yellow shine, attracting customers.
• It has no nutritional value, rather highly toxic.
• Auramine is very cheap, industrial-grade → used for cost cutting.
• It gives a bright fake-yellow shine, attracting customers.
• It has no nutritional value, rather highly toxic.
MCQ 2. Consider the following health impacts of prolonged consumption of Auramine-contaminated food:
1. Increased risk of liver cancer
2. Damage to kidneys
3. Neurological disorders
4. Reduced iron absorption in intestines
Which of the above are scientifically associated with Auramine exposure?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
• Liver cancer, kidney toxicity, neurological toxicity → documented.
• Reduced iron absorption is mostly linked to metanil yellow, not auramine.
• Liver cancer, kidney toxicity, neurological toxicity → documented.
• Reduced iron absorption is mostly linked to metanil yellow, not auramine.
MCQ 3. The use of Auramine O in food products violates which of the following laws in India?
1. Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
2. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
3. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
4. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Choose the correct option:
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
• FSSA, 2006: Direct violation (banned dye).
• PFA Act: Though repealed, violations prior to FSSA reference this Act; UPSC often still includes it.
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Misbranding & unfair trade practice apply.
• EPA, 1986: Not directly applicable unless manufacturing waste discharge is involved.
• FSSA, 2006: Direct violation (banned dye).
• PFA Act: Though repealed, violations prior to FSSA reference this Act; UPSC often still includes it.
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Misbranding & unfair trade practice apply.
• EPA, 1986: Not directly applicable unless manufacturing waste discharge is involved.
MCQ 4. Recently Auramine O appeared in news in relation to which of the following?
A) FSSAI approval of new natural food additives
B) Illegal colouring of roasted chana sold in Indian markets
C) New WHO guidelines on synthetic dyes
D) Detection of fluorochemical contaminants in fertilizers
Explanation:
• Auramine O was reported in news due to illegal use as a bright yellow colouring agent in roasted chana sold in markets.
• Auramine O was reported in news due to illegal use as a bright yellow colouring agent in roasted chana sold in markets.
MCQ 5. With reference to the classification of food colours in India, consider the following statements:
1. Synthetic colours are allowed only if they are certified and fall in the “Permitted Colours” list of FSSAI.
2. All natural colours are automatically permitted irrespective of safety evaluation.
3. Auramine O and Metanil Yellow fall under the category of permitted synthetic colours.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
• Natural colours also require safety evaluation → Statement 2 incorrect.
• Auramine & Metanil Yellow are banned dyes → Statement 3 incorrect.
• Natural colours also require safety evaluation → Statement 2 incorrect.
• Auramine & Metanil Yellow are banned dyes → Statement 3 incorrect.
MCQ 6. Auramine O contamination in food is a concern primarily because it violates which of the following core principles of food safety?
1. Principle of traceability
2. Principle of risk assessment
3. Principle of informed consumer choice
4. Principle of ‘Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points’ (HACCP)
Correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
• Cannot trace source → traceability fails.
• Carcinogenic dye → fails risk assessment.
• Consumers unaware → informed choice violated.
• HACCP is violated as contamination enters during processing.
• Cannot trace source → traceability fails.
• Carcinogenic dye → fails risk assessment.
• Consumers unaware → informed choice violated.
• HACCP is violated as contamination enters during processing.
MCQ 7. Consider the following pairs:
Dye — Status in India
1. Auramine O — Banned for food use
2. Tartrazine — Permitted synthetic dye
3. Metanil Yellow — Permitted for turmeric colouring
4. Rhodamine B — Banned for food use
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
• Auramine O → banned.
• Tartrazine → permitted synthetic colour (Yellow No. 5).
• Metanil Yellow → banned (often adulterates turmeric).
• Rhodamine B → banned.
• Auramine O → banned.
• Tartrazine → permitted synthetic colour (Yellow No. 5).
• Metanil Yellow → banned (often adulterates turmeric).
• Rhodamine B → banned.
MCQ 8. Auramine O is often detected using laboratory techniques. Which of the following methods is most commonly used for detection of synthetic dyes in food?
A) Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
B) High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
C) Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
D) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Explanation:
• HPLC is the standard method for detecting food dyes (including Auramine).
• HPLC is the standard method for detecting food dyes (including Auramine).
MCQ 9. Consider the following reasons for the difficulty in controlling Auramine adulteration in India:
1. Presence of a large unorganized food processing sector
2. Infrequent food inspections and low testing capacity
3. Lack of standardized testing kits at district level
4. High cost of enforcement for small municipalities
How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) Only three
D) All four
Explanation:
• All four reflect India’s structural challenges in food safety governance.
• All four reflect India’s structural challenges in food safety governance.
MCQ 10. The HAMMER missile recently in news is best described as:
A) A long-range ballistic missile developed jointly by India and France
B) A precision-guided, modular air-to-ground weapon integrated with fighter aircraft
C) An anti-ship missile with sea-skimming capability
D) A surface-to-air missile developed under Project Kusha
Explanation:
• HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a modular precision-guided air-to-ground weapon developed by France.
• India is integrating it with aircraft like Rafale and exploring integration with LCA Tejas Mk-1A.
• HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a modular precision-guided air-to-ground weapon developed by France.
• India is integrating it with aircraft like Rafale and exploring integration with LCA Tejas Mk-1A.