Question

A prestigious school of Delhi has large canteen which sells burgers, patties, cold drink, Pizzas, Samosas, chips, etc. Most of the children enjoy eating these junk food. School authorities have asked them to sell fresh fruit juices, sprouts, boiled corns, fresh fruits, nimbupani etc. but sale of these items is very less. Some children take sips from same cold drink bottle and bites of same burger. 

(a) Which preservative is present in cold drinks? 

(b) Which acid is present in vinegar added to vegetable chowmien? 

(c) What will you do to make people aware that junk food is harmful for health? Give two suggestions. 

(d) What is wrong/right in sipping cold drinks from same bottle or biting same burger by many students? Give one reason. 

(e) Do you think junk food and cold drinks should be banned in school canteen as per the directive of Hon’ble High Court’s order? Give two reasons in support of your answer

Answer 1

(a) The most commonly used preservative in cold drinks is sodium benzoate which is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. Some carboxylic acids are also used as preservatives. 

(b) Ethanoic acid (also called acetic acid) is present in vinegar. 

(c) One can organise talk shows, or presentations regarding the health issues associated with junk food. If possible, posters and other articles could be shared among people using social media. 

(d) Sipping from the same cold drink or biting the same burger by many students may result in spread of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms if one of the students is ill. Therefore it is advised not to do so. 

(e) Yes, junk food should be banned from school canteen because it consists of artificial preservatives and additives which are harmful to our health. Moreover, continuous consumption of junk food and cold drinks may decrease the ability to control the appetite.