MCQ on Food Fortification

🟢 Easy Level (1–20)

1. What is food fortification?
   A) Adding flavor to food
   B) Adding nutrients to food ✅
   C) Removing toxins
   D) Cooking food
   Explanation: Food fortification is the process of adding essential nutrients to food to prevent deficiencies.
2. Which organization defines food fortification globally?
   A) WHO ✅
   B) NASA
   C) FDA
   D) ISRO
   Explanation: WHO, in collaboration with FAO, defines and promotes food fortification guidelines globally.
3. Which of the following is a commonly fortified food in India?
   A) Ice cream
   B) Edible oil ✅
   C) Chips
   D) Soft drinks
   Explanation: Edible oil is commonly fortified with Vitamin A and D.
4. Iron is usually added to which staple food for fortification?
   A) Sugar
   B) Salt
   C) Wheat flour ✅
   D) Oil
   Explanation: Iron fortification in wheat flour helps combat anemia.
5. What does double fortification of salt mean?
   A) Fortified with iron and iodine ✅
   B) Fortified with calcium
   C) Fortified with zinc
   D) Fortified with fluoride
   Explanation: Double-fortified salt contains both iodine and iron.
6. Which vitamin is added to milk in fortification?
   A) Vitamin B12
   B) Vitamin D ✅
   C) Vitamin C
   D) Vitamin K
   Explanation: Vitamin D is often added to milk to prevent rickets.
7. Fortification helps to prevent:
   A) Cancer
   B) Nutrient deficiencies ✅
   C) Infections
   D) Diabetes
   Explanation: Fortification helps reduce deficiencies like iron-deficiency anemia.
8. Which symbol indicates fortified food in India?
   A) Red triangle
   B) Green circle
   C) +F logo ✅
   D) Star mark
   Explanation: FSSAI’s +F symbol indicates fortified food.
9. Which government body regulates food fortification in India?
   A) NITI Aayog
   B) FSSAI ✅
   C) ICMR
   D) NABL
   Explanation: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sets fortification standards.
10. Golden rice is fortified with:
    A) Iron
    B) Zinc
    C) Beta-carotene ✅
    D) Vitamin C
    Explanation: Golden rice is genetically modified to contain beta-carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A).
11. Mandatory fortification of salt in India is done with:
    A) Iron
    B) Calcium
    C) Iodine ✅
    D) Zinc
    Explanation: Iodization of salt is mandatory to prevent goiter.
12. Which nutrient is added to rice under India’s fortification scheme?
    A) Magnesium
    B) Vitamin B12 ✅
    C) Vitamin C
    D) Potassium
    Explanation: Fortified rice includes iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12.
13. The fortification of food should not:
    A) Enhance color
    B) Improve taste
    C) Cause toxicity ✅
    D) Improve nutrition
    Explanation: Fortification must avoid excesses that could cause toxicity.
14. Who benefits most from food fortification?
    A) Athletes
    B) Urban adults
    C) Children and pregnant women ✅
    D) Senior citizens
    Explanation: These groups are more vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies.
15. Which vitamin prevents night blindness?
    A) Vitamin C
    B) Vitamin B12
    C) Vitamin A ✅
    D) Vitamin D
    Explanation: Vitamin A is essential for good vision, especially at night.
16. Which of these is NOT a fortified food?
    A) Salt with iodine
    B) Rice with iron
    C) Bananas with potassium ✅
    D) Oil with Vitamin D
    Explanation: Bananas naturally contain potassium, not a result of fortification.
17. Which micronutrient helps prevent anemia?
    A) Iron ✅
    B) Zinc
    C) Calcium
    D) Magnesium
    Explanation: Iron deficiency causes anemia; iron fortification helps prevent it.
18. Which fortified food can help reduce rickets?
    A) Rice
    B) Milk with Vitamin D ✅
    C) Salt
    D) Water
    Explanation: Vitamin D strengthens bones and prevents rickets.
19. What is the purpose of micronutrient fortification?
    A) Increase food prices
    B) Prevent chronic diseases
    C) Prevent nutritional deficiencies ✅
    D) Improve color and texture
    Explanation: Micronutrients are added to address public health needs.
20. Which of the following is a water-soluble vitamin used in fortification?
    A) Vitamin A
    B) Vitamin D
    C) Vitamin B12 ✅
    D) Vitamin E
    Explanation: Vitamin B12 is water-soluble and used in rice fortification.

🟡 Moderate Level (21–40)

21. Zinc-fortified foods can help prevent:
    A) Diabetes
    B) Diarrhea ✅
    C) Obesity
    D) Cough
    Explanation: Zinc boosts immunity and reduces the incidence of diarrhea.
22. Which nutrient is added to prevent neural tube defects in newborns?
    A) Calcium
    B) Folic acid ✅
    C) Iron
    D) Zinc
    Explanation: Folic acid prevents neural tube defects during fetal development.
23. Which method is used for oil fortification?
    A) Solubilization ✅
    B) Spraying
    C) Mixing
    D) Boiling
    Explanation: Fat-soluble vitamins are solubilized in oil before blending.
24. Which of the following is a potential risk of over-fortification?
    A) Nutrient synergy
    B) Taste improvement
    C) Hypervitaminosis ✅
    D) Better immunity
    Explanation: Excess fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) can cause toxicity.
25. How is fortified rice made?
    A) Soaking
    B) Extrusion technology ✅
    C) Boiling
    D) Coating with oil
    Explanation: Fortified kernels are created using extrusion and blended with regular rice.
26. Which age group is most vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiency?
    A) Teenagers
    B) Infants and elderly ✅
    C) Young adults
    D) Pregnant women
    Explanation: Limited sun exposure makes these groups vulnerable.
27. In India, the staple targeted for large-scale fortification is:
    A) Barley
    B) Rice ✅
    C) Bajra
    D) Corn
    Explanation: Rice is consumed widely and is a prime fortification target.
28. Why is iron not added to salt alone?
    A) It is expensive
    B) It causes a reaction with iodine ✅
    C) It is tasteless
    D) It evaporates
    Explanation: Iron reacts with iodine, so special encapsulation techniques are needed.
29. Why is oil fortified with Vitamins A and D?
    A) Fat-soluble vitamins ✅
    B) Flavor enhancers
    C) Less soluble in water
    D) To improve aroma
    Explanation: A and D dissolve in fat, making oil an ideal vehicle.
30. Which technique prevents iron-iodine interaction in salt?
    A) Heating
    B) Pressure cooking
    C) Microencapsulation ✅
    D) Sun drying
    Explanation: Encapsulation protects nutrients from interaction.
31. What is the name of India’s rice fortification scheme?
    A) Food for All
    B) PM-POSHAN ✅
    C) National Nutrition Project
    D) Mid-Day Meal Mission
    Explanation: PM-POSHAN integrates fortified rice into school and welfare meals.
32. Which fortificant is sensitive to light and air?
    A) Iron
    B) Vitamin C ✅
    C) Zinc
    D) Folic acid
    Explanation: Vitamin C is unstable and oxidizes easily.
33. Which food is fortified in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)?
    A) Wheat flour ✅
    B) Fruits
    C) Soft drinks
    D) Butter
    Explanation: Fortified wheat flour is distributed to pregnant and lactating women.
34. What is the recommended iron dosage in fortified wheat flour per 100g?
    A) 1 mg
    B) 5 mg
    C) 28 mg ✅
    D) 100 mg
    Explanation: FSSAI standards recommend 28 mg of iron per 100g of wheat flour.
35. Why is folic acid added to fortified rice?
    A) Bone strength
    B) Eye health
    C) Prevent birth defects ✅
    D) Weight gain
    Explanation: Folic acid is crucial in early pregnancy for fetal development.
36. What is the vehicle for Vitamin A in fortification?
    A) Water
    B) Oil ✅
    C) Milk only
    D) Sugar
    Explanation: Being fat-soluble, oil efficiently delivers Vitamin A.
37. What is the fortification level of iodine in salt per kg in India?
    A) 10 ppm
    B) 30 ppm ✅
    C) 50 ppm
    D) 100 ppm
    Explanation: Salt must have at least 30 ppm iodine at the production level.
38. Which deficiency is most prevalent in India?
    A) Protein
    B) Vitamin C
    C) Iron ✅
    D) Omega-3
    Explanation: Iron-deficiency anemia is highly prevalent, especially in women.
39. Which micronutrient supports mental development in children?
    A) Iron ✅
    B) Calcium
    C) Vitamin K
    D) Fiber
    Explanation: Iron is essential for brain development and cognitive performance.
40. What is the difference between fortification and supplementation?
    A) Fortification is for ill people only
    B) Fortification adds nutrients to food ✅
    C) Supplementation uses synthetic chemicals
    D) No difference
    Explanation: Fortification modifies food directly; supplementation uses external pills or drops.

🔴 Hard Level (41–50)

41. What is bioavailability in food fortification?
    A) Ease of processing
    B) Ease of packaging
    C) Absorption of nutrients ✅
    D) Shelf life
    Explanation: Bioavailability refers to how easily a nutrient is absorbed and utilized.
42. Which form of iron is most bioavailable in food fortification?
    A) Ferrous sulfate ✅
    B) Ferric oxide
    C) Iron filings
    D) Iron carbonate
    Explanation: Ferrous sulfate is soluble and highly bioavailable.
43. Which micronutrient causes off-flavor if improperly fortified?
    A) Calcium
    B) Zinc
    C) Iron ✅
    D) Folic acid
    Explanation: Iron can cause rancidity and metallic taste.
44. Excess intake of Vitamin A can lead to:
    A) Diarrhea
    B) Night blindness
    C) Liver toxicity ✅
    D) Weak bones
    Explanation: Vitamin A is fat-soluble and toxic in high doses.
45. How is shelf life of fortified foods maintained?
    A) Refrigeration
    B) Use of stabilizers ✅
    C) Microwave
    D) Boiling
    Explanation: Stabilizers and encapsulation maintain shelf life of nutrients.
46. Which is a common issue in rice fortification adoption?
    A) Taste change
    B) Color mismatch ✅
    C) High nutrition
    D) No government support
    Explanation: Fortified rice kernels may differ in color and appearance.
47. Iron-EDTA is used because:
    A) It is cheap
    B) It improves color
    C) High bioavailability and low reactivity ✅
    D) Easily soluble in oil
    Explanation: Iron-EDTA prevents nutrient interaction and discoloration.
48. Which is a challenge in fortifying Vitamin D?
    A) Its color
    B) Insolubility in water ✅
    C) High cost
    D) Low demand
    Explanation: Vitamin D requires fat-based carriers due to poor solubility in water.
49. Why is mandatory fortification sometimes resisted?
    A) Religious concerns
    B) Supply chain costs ✅
    C) No benefits
    D) High nutrition levels
    Explanation: Mandatory fortification can increase costs for small producers.
50. Why are premixes used in fortification?
    A) Cheaper packaging
    B) Standardized nutrition ✅
    C) Flavor improvement
    D) Visual appeal
    Explanation: Premixes ensure uniform and accurate dosing of micronutrients.