MCQ on Food Preservation

🟢 Easy Level (1–20)

1. Which of the following is a traditional method of food preservation?
   a) Freezing
   b) Drying ✅
   c) Radiation
   d) Canning
   Explanation: Drying removes moisture, inhibiting microbial growth.
2. Pickles are preserved using:
   a) Sugar
   b) Cold storage
   c) Salt ✅
   d) Vine leaves
   Explanation: Salt draws out water and creates a hostile environment for microbes.
3. Pasteurization is mainly used to preserve:
   a) Milk ✅
   b) Bread
   c) Fruits
   d) Vegetables
   Explanation: Milk is heated to kill harmful bacteria and then rapidly cooled.
4. Which of the following preservatives is commonly used in jams?
   a) Sodium benzoate
   b) Salt
   c) Citric acid
   d) Sugar ✅
   Explanation: Sugar acts as both a preservative and sweetener by drawing out water and preventing microbial growth.
5. Which method is used to preserve food by lowering the temperature?
   a) Salting
   b) Drying
   c) Freezing ✅
   d) Pickling
   Explanation: Freezing slows down the growth of bacteria and enzymes that spoil food.
6. The purpose of blanching vegetables before freezing them is to:
   a) Increase flavor
   b) Kill microorganisms ✅
   c) Enhance color
   d) Decrease moisture content
   Explanation: Blanching briefly heats vegetables to stop the action of enzymes that can spoil food.
7. Which of these foods is commonly preserved by fermentation?
   a) Butter
   b) Yogurt ✅
   c) Bread
   d) Cheese
   Explanation: Yogurt is produced by fermenting milk with bacterial cultures.
8. Which of these is a chemical preservative used in food?
   a) Citric acid
   b) Salt
   c) Vinegar
   d) Sodium benzoate ✅
   Explanation: Sodium benzoate is a widely used chemical preservative to prevent mold and yeast growth.
9. Honey is often used to preserve:
   a) Vegetables
   b) Fruits
   c) Meat
   d) Fruits and nuts ✅
   Explanation: Honey has natural antimicrobial properties that help preserve fruits and nuts.
10. Which method involves sealing food in airtight containers?
    a) Fermentation
    b) Canning ✅
    c) Freezing
    d) Drying
    Explanation: Canning seals food in airtight containers to prevent spoilage from bacteria, yeast, and molds.
11. The process of smoking fish is an example of:
    a) Freezing
    b) Pickling
    c) Drying
    d) Both smoking and drying ✅
    Explanation: Smoking helps to dry the fish and adds preservatives through the smoke.
12. Which preservative is commonly used in processed meats like sausages?
    a) Salt ✅
    b) Sugar
    c) Vinegar
    d) Citric acid
    Explanation: Salt is used in processed meats to enhance flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
13. Which food is typically preserved using vinegar?
    a) Pickles ✅
    b) Rice
    c) Meat
    d) Bread
    Explanation: Vinegar is used in the pickling process to prevent bacterial growth.
14. Which of these methods is most commonly used to preserve fruits for long-term storage?
    a) Fermentation
    b) Freezing ✅
    c) Smoking
    d) Canning
    Explanation: Freezing is a common method to preserve fruits while maintaining their nutrients.
15. Which type of food preservation involves lowering the water content of food?
    a) Canning
    b) Drying ✅
    c) Salting
    d) Freezing
    Explanation: Drying removes moisture, which bacteria need to grow.
16. What is the primary reason for preserving food?
    a) To improve taste
    b) To reduce cost
    c) To extend shelf life ✅
    d) To increase nutritional value
    Explanation: Food preservation prevents spoilage and extends the shelf life of food products.
17. Which of the following is an example of a perishable food that requires preservation?
    a) Honey
    b) Flour
    c) Milk ✅
    d) Rice
    Explanation: Milk is highly perishable and requires preservation methods like pasteurization or refrigeration.
18. Which of the following preservation methods uses heat to kill microorganisms?
    a) Freezing
    b) Canning ✅
    c) Drying
    d) Pickling
    Explanation: Canning uses heat to kill bacteria and seal food in airtight containers.
19. Which of these is a natural preservative?
    a) Sodium nitrate
    b) Vinegar ✅
    c) Artificial coloring
    d) Monosodium glutamate
    Explanation: Vinegar is a natural preservative due to its acidity, which inhibits microbial growth.
20. Which of the following is an example of a preserved food product?
    a) Fresh meat
    b) Unpasteurized milk
    c) Canned tomatoes ✅
    d) Raw vegetables
    Explanation: Canned tomatoes are preserved by heating and sealing in airtight containers.

🟠 Moderate Level (21–35)

21. Which of the following methods is used to preserve meat for long storage?
    a) Drying
    b) Freezing
    c) Canning ✅
    d) Pickling
    Explanation: Canning preserves meat by sealing it in jars and heating to destroy bacteria.
22. Which of the following is a drawback of using chemical preservatives in food?
    a) Increases nutritional value
    b) May cause allergic reactions ✅
    c) Reduces shelf life
    d) Makes food more expensive
    Explanation: Chemical preservatives may cause allergic reactions or other health issues for some individuals.
23. Which preservative is commonly used in soft drinks and juices?
    a) Sodium chloride
    b) Citric acid
    c) Sodium benzoate ✅
    d) Vinegar
    Explanation: Sodium benzoate is commonly used to prevent mold and yeast growth in drinks.
24. The process of fermentation is used to preserve:
    a) Meat
    b) Dairy products ✅
    c) Vegetables
    d) Grains
    Explanation: Fermentation is widely used for preserving dairy products like cheese and yogurt.
25. Which food preservation method uses cold temperatures to slow down bacterial growth?
    a) Freezing ✅
    b) Canning
    c) Drying
    d) Salting
    Explanation: Freezing slows the growth of bacteria and preserves food for long periods.
26. Which is the key principle behind vacuum sealing food?
    a) Removing water
    b) Preventing exposure to oxygen ✅
    c) Increasing salt content
    d) Heating food
    Explanation: Vacuum sealing removes air (oxygen), preventing the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms.
27. Which chemical preservative is used to inhibit the growth of mold in baked goods?
    a) Sodium nitrite
    b) Potassium sorbate ✅
    c) Citric acid
    d) Sodium bicarbonate
    Explanation: Potassium sorbate is used to inhibit mold growth in baked goods.
28. Which of the following is NOT a method of food preservation?
    a) Smoking
    b) Freezing
    c) Roasting ✅
    d) Pickling
    Explanation: Roasting is a cooking method, not a preservation technique.
29. Which food is most commonly preserved through freezing?
    a) Flour
    b) Vegetables ✅
    c) Rice
    d) Honey
    Explanation: Vegetables are commonly frozen to preserve their freshness and nutrients.
30. Which of the following methods is used to preserve food by adding sugar?
    a) Pickling
    b) Fermentation
    c) Candying ✅
    d) Freezing
    Explanation: Candying involves immersing food in sugar to preserve it.
31. Which preservation method is used for making sauerkraut?
    a) Freezing
    b) Fermentation ✅
    c) Canning
    d) Salting
    Explanation: Sauerkraut is made through fermentation, using bacteria to preserve cabbage.
32. Which of the following is used as a preservative in dried fruits?
    a) Citric acid
    b) Sugar
    c) Sulfur dioxide ✅
    d) Vinegar
    Explanation: Sulfur dioxide is commonly used to preserve the color and prevent spoilage in dried fruits.
33. Which type of food is typically preserved by osmotic dehydration?
    a) Meat
    b) Fruits ✅
    c) Vegetables
    d) Fish
    Explanation: Osmotic dehydration is commonly used to preserve fruits by removing water.
34. Which preservative is commonly added to cheese to prevent mold growth?
    a) Calcium carbonate
    b) Sodium benzoate
    c) Natamycin ✅
    d) Sorbitol
    Explanation: Natamycin is commonly used in cheese to prevent mold growth.
35. Which of the following is a disadvantage of freezing food?
    a) Increases shelf life
    b) Changes food texture ✅
    c) Kills bacteria
    d) Preserves nutrients
    Explanation: Freezing can cause changes in texture, particularly in high-water-content foods.

🔴 Hard Level (36–50)

36. What is the effect of excessive salt in preserved foods?
    a) Increases vitamin content
    b) Increases shelf life
    c) Increases sodium intake, leading to health risks ✅
    d) Reduces flavor
    Explanation: Excessive salt can increase sodium intake, which may lead to health issues like hypertension.
37. Which preservation method uses ionizing radiation?
    a) Freezing
    b) Canning
    c) Irradiation ✅
    d) Fermentation
    Explanation: Irradiation uses ionizing radiation to kill microorganisms without affecting the food quality.
38. What is the primary purpose of using sodium nitrite in meat preservation?
    a) To add flavor
    b) To prevent spoilage by bacteria ✅
    c) To color the meat
    d) To enhance nutritional value
    Explanation: Sodium nitrite is used to prevent bacterial growth, particularly in cured meats.
39. Which of the following is an example of a food preserved by controlled atmosphere storage?
    a) Fresh fruits ✅
    b) Bread
    c) Jam
    d) Milk
    Explanation: Controlled atmosphere storage reduces oxygen and slows down ripening in fruits.
40. Which preservation method involves the removal of oxygen from packaging to extend shelf life?
    a) Freezing
    b) Vacuum packaging ✅
    c) Canning
    d) Smoking
    Explanation: Vacuum packaging removes oxygen, which helps slow down the deterioration of food.
41. Which chemical is commonly used to preserve fish in the form of fish sauce?
    a) Vinegar
    b) Sodium chloride
    c) Fermentation ✅
    d) Potassium sorbate
    Explanation: Fish sauce is made through fermentation, where salt and microbes preserve the fish.
42. Which food preservation method is used to preserve wine and beer?
    a) Freezing
    b) Canning
    c) Pasteurization ✅
    d) Salting
    Explanation: Pasteurization is used to kill harmful microbes in wine and beer.
43. What is the primary disadvantage of canning as a preservation method?
    a) Short shelf life
    b) Loss of vitamins ✅
    c) Increased salt content
    d) Overcooking of food
    Explanation: Canning can cause loss of water-soluble vitamins due to heat exposure.
44. Which of these methods is used to preserve fruits by using high pressure?
    a) HPP (High Pressure Processing) ✅
    b) Freezing
    c) Osmotic dehydration
    d) Vacuum packing
    Explanation: High Pressure Processing (HPP) preserves food by applying high pressure to kill bacteria and pathogens.
45. Which of the following is a disadvantage of using artificial preservatives?
    a) Enhances flavor
    b) Can cause allergic reactions ✅
    c) Increases food freshness
    d) Reduces nutrient loss
    Explanation: Some artificial preservatives may cause allergies or sensitivities in some individuals.
46. Which of the following methods does NOT involve heat?
    a) Pasteurization
    b) Canning
    c) Freezing ✅
    d) Boiling
    Explanation: Freezing preserves food by lowering the temperature without using heat.
47. What is the main reason that vacuum sealing food improves preservation?
    a) By increasing the salt content
    b) By removing moisture
    c) By reducing the amount of oxygen ✅
    d) By increasing temperature
    Explanation: Reducing oxygen helps to slow microbial growth and preserve food longer.
48. Which of these methods is used to preserve vegetables through salt and fermentation?
    a) Canning
    b) Freezing
    c) Pickling ✅
    d) Drying
    Explanation: Pickling uses salt and sometimes vinegar to preserve vegetables through fermentation.
49. What is the purpose of using potassium sorbate in food preservation?
    a) To prevent oxidation
    b) To prevent mold and yeast growth ✅
    c) To add sweetness
    d) To preserve texture
    Explanation: Potassium sorbate is used to prevent mold and yeast growth in various food products.
50. Which preservation method extends the shelf life of fruits by controlling the temperature, humidity, and oxygen?
    a) Fermentation
    b) Controlled atmosphere storage ✅
    c) Freezing
    d) Smoking
    Explanation: Controlled atmosphere storage regulates oxygen and humidity to slow ripening and preserve fruits.