Question

What is rancidity? What is the general name of chemicals which are added to fat and oil containing food so as to prevent the rancidity?

Answer 1

Rancidity:

• When food is kept in open for a long time, the oil and fat present in the food gets oxidized making the food bad in smell and taste, this is known as rancidity.
• The rancid food is unfit to eat as it can easily make someone sick.

Ways for preventing rancidity:

• The addition of anti-oxidants to the food can be done in order to prevent rancidity.
• The food should not be packed with nitrogen gas.
• The leftover food can be kept in the refrigerator.
• Usage of air-tight containers should be done in order to keep the food prevented from rancidity.

Antioxidants are the chemicals that are added to fat and oil-containing food so as to prevent rancidity.

For example, natural oxidants that are added to prevent rancidity are Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and Tocopherols (vitamin E).