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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fortification helps to prevent:
A) Cancer
B) Nutrient deficiencies ✅
C) Infections
D) Diabetes Explanation: Fortification helps reduce deficiencies like iron-deficiency anemia.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Which micronutrient helps prevent anemia?
A) Iron ✅
B) Zinc
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium Explanation: Iron deficiency causes anemia; iron fortification helps prevent it.
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.
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.
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)
Zinc-fortified foods can help prevent:
A) Diabetes
B) Diarrhea ✅
C) Obesity
D) Cough Explanation: Zinc boosts immunity and reduces the incidence of diarrhea.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Which technique prevents iron-iodine interaction in salt?
A) Heating
B) Pressure cooking
C) Microencapsulation ✅
D) Sun drying Explanation: Encapsulation protects nutrients from interaction.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.