Natural vs. synthetic additives MCQs Food science December 27, 2025August 5, 2024 by u930973931_answers 50 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/50 Subscribe 1. . Which type of additive is derived from natural sources and not chemically altered? (A) Natural additive (B) Synthetic additive (C) Artificial additive (D) Preservative additive 2. . Which of the following is a natural food colorant? (A) Beta-carotene (B) Tartrazine (C) Red 40 (D) Sunset Yellow 3. . Which additive is typically used as a synthetic preservative in foods? (A) Ascorbic acid (B) Sodium benzoate (C) Rosemary extract (D) Vitamin C 4. . Which natural additive is commonly used as a sweetener? (A) Sucralose (B) Saccharin (C) Aspartame (D) Steviol glycosides 5. . What is a synthetic flavor enhancer commonly used in processed foods? (A) Lemon juice (B) Vanilla extract (C) Monosodium glutamate (MSG) (D) Basil 6. . Which natural additive is used to prevent oxidation in fats and oils? (A) BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) (B) Ascorbic acid (C) TBHQ (Tertiary butylhydroquinone) (D) Sodium propionate 7. . Which synthetic coloring agent is used to give a yellow color to food products? (A) Beta-carotene (B) Curcumin (C) Beet juice powder (D) Tartrazine 8. . Which of the following is an example of a natural preservative? (A) Sodium nitrate (B) Potassium sorbate (C) Propylparaben (D) Vinegar 9. . What is a common natural source of antioxidant additives? (A) TBHQ (Tertiary butylhydroquinone) (B) BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole) (C) BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) (D) Green tea extract 10. . Which synthetic additive is used as a thickening agent in food products? (A) Guar gum (B) Xanthan gum (C) Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) (D) Agar 11. . Which of the following is a natural gelling agent used in food products? (A) Carrageenan (B) Gelatin (C) Agar (D) Pectin 12. . Which synthetic additive is used to enhance the flavor of food products? (A) MSG (Monosodium glutamate) (B) Vanilla extract (C) Cinnamon (D) Nutmeg 13. . Which natural substance is used as a flavoring agent? (A) Artificial vanilla flavor (B) Ethyl vanillin (C) Vanilla extract (D) Vanillin 14. . What is the role of synthetic emulsifiers in food products? (A) Add color (B) Improve flavor (C) Increase sweetness (D) Enhance texture and prevent separation 15. . Which of the following is an example of a natural sweetener? (A) Aspartame (B) Stevia (C) Saccharin (D) Sucralose 16. . What is a common synthetic anti-caking agent used in powdered foods? (A) Calcium silicate (B) Silicon dioxide (C) Talc (D) Magnesium stearate 17. . Which natural additive is used to preserve meats and fish? (A) Sodium nitrite (B) Salt (C) Potassium sorbate (D) Benzoic acid 18. . What is the primary function of synthetic color additives in food? (A) Enhance visual appeal (B) Prevent spoilage (C) Improve texture (D) Add sweetness 19. . Which of the following is a natural source of flavoring? (A) Synthetic citral (B) Artificial lemon flavor (C) Lemon zest (D) Limonene 20. . Which synthetic compound is commonly used as an artificial sweetener? (A) Honey (B) Xylitol (C) Sucralose (D) Maple syrup 21. . What is the main purpose of using natural antioxidants in food? (A) Improve texture (B) Prevent spoilage and rancidity (C) Add color (D) Enhance sweetness 22. . Which synthetic stabilizer is used in processed foods to maintain consistency? (A) Carrageenan (B) Xanthan gum (C) Modified starch (D) Sodium alginate 23. . What is a natural source of emulsifying agents? (A) Propylene glycol (B) Polysorbate 80 (C) Sorbitan esters (D) Lecithin 24. . Which additive is used synthetically to extend the shelf life of baked goods? (A) Vinegar (B) Calcium propionate (C) Rosemary extract (D) Citric acid 25. . What is a natural source of food colorant that gives a red hue? (A) Red 40 (B) Beet juice powder (C) Allura Red (D) Carmine 26. . Which synthetic additive is often used to improve the texture of low-fat dairy products? (A) Guar gum (B) Locust bean gum (C) Pectin (D) Carrageenan 27. . What is the function of natural flavoring agents in foods? (A) Increase shelf life (B) Prevent microbial growth (C) Improve color (D) Enhance taste and aroma 28. . Which synthetic preservative is used to prevent mold growth in baked goods? (A) Sorbic acid (B) Ascorbic acid (C) Sodium benzoate (D) Propionic acid 29. . Which natural additive is used as a thickening agent in sauces and soups? (A) Agar (B) Guar gum (C) Gelatin (D) Pectin 30. . What is the role of synthetic antioxidants in food products? (A) Add color (B) Enhance flavor (C) Improve texture (D) Prevent oxidation and spoilage 31. . Which of the following is a natural anti-microbial agent used in food preservation? (A) Garlic extract (B) Sodium nitrate (C) Potassium sorbate (D) Benzoic acid 32. . Which synthetic agent is used to reduce the formation of ice crystals in frozen desserts? (A) Propylene glycol (B) Glycerin (C) Sorbitol (D) Lecithin 33. . What is the main purpose of synthetic flavorings in processed foods? (A) Improve texture (B) Extend shelf life (C) Mimic natural flavors (D) Enhance color 34. . Which natural substance is used as a preservative and flavor enhancer in pickles? (A) Vinegar (B) Sodium benzoate (C) Potassium sorbate (D) Sodium nitrate 35. . Which synthetic compound is used to adjust the acidity in food products? (A) Citric acid (B) Lactic acid (C) Tartaric acid (D) Malic acid 36. . Which of the following is a natural sweetener used in baking? (A) Aspartame (B) High fructose corn syrup (C) Honey (D) Saccharin 37. . What is a common synthetic stabilizer used in ice cream? (A) Guar gum (B) Locust bean gum (C) Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) (D) Sodium alginate 38. . Which natural ingredient is used for its antioxidant properties in salad dressings? (A) Rosemary extract (B) Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (C) Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (D) Olive oil 39. . Which synthetic ingredient is used to mimic the texture of fat in low-fat products? (A) Xanthan gum (B) Pectin (C) Guar gum (D) Olestra 40. . What is a natural source of emulsifiers used in chocolate? (A) Sodium stearoyl lactylate (B) Polysorbate 60 (C) Soy lecithin (D) Propylene glycol esters 41. . Which synthetic colorant is used to provide an orange hue in food products? (A) Sunset Yellow (B) Beta-carotene (C) Paprika extract (D) Annatto 42. . What is the purpose of natural flavor extracts in beverages? (A) Extend shelf life (B) Enhance flavor and aroma (C) Improve texture (D) Add color 43. . Which of the following is a synthetic anti-oxidant used in foods? (A) Green tea extract (B) Vitamin E (C) Vitamin C (D) BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) 44. . Which natural food additive is used to improve the color of cheese? (A) Annatto (B) Tartrazine (C) Red 40 (D) Beta-carotene 45. . Which synthetic preservative is used to prevent the growth of bacteria in canned foods? (A) Ascorbic acid (B) Vinegar (C) Sodium nitrite (D) Potassium sorbate 46. . What is a common natural thickening agent used in soups and sauces? (A) Xanthan gum (B) Modified starch (C) Agar (D) Cornstarch 47. . Which synthetic flavor enhancer is used to intensify savory flavors in foods? (A) Nutmeg (B) Vanilla extract (C) Cinnamon (D) Monosodium glutamate (MSG) 48. . Which natural food additive is used to stabilize whipped cream? (A) Gelatin (B) Pectin (C) Sodium alginate (D) Carrageenan 49. . What is a synthetic emulsifier commonly used in margarine? (A) Sodium stearoyl lactylate (B) Lecithin (C) Glycerol monostearate (D) Polysorbate 60 50. . Which natural additive is often used as a preservative in dried fruits? (A) Sulfur dioxide (B) Sodium benzoate (C) Potassium sorbate (D) Sodium nitrate