Which compound is used to remove the skins from tomatoes, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables for canning and as an ingredient in food preservatives that helps prevent mold and bacteria from growing in food?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Sodium hydroxide.
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as caustic soda, is used in the food processing industry to loosen the skins of vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes during canning. It is also used as a food preservative ingredient because of its antimicrobial properties — it helps prevent the growth of mold and bacteria, thereby extending the shelf life of processed foods.