NCERT Class 12 Home Science Manav Paristhitik avam Parivar Vigyan Bhag 1: Chapter 5 — अध् यायय 5
This chapter, "Food Quality and Safety," from NCERT Class 12 Home Science (Manav Paristhitik avam Parivar Vigyan Bhag 1), emphasizes the critical importance of nutritious and safe food for public health and productivity. It highlights the prevalence and impact of foodborne diseases globally and in India, citing statistics on deaths and illnesses, particularly among young children. The chapter explains how unsafe food leads to various health issues, economic losses, and hinders development. It discusses the evolving challenges in food quality and safety due to lifestyle changes, increased consumption of processed and ready-to-eat foods, and large-scale food production and distribution. The text also touches upon the role of microorganisms, antibiotic resistance, and international travel in the spread of foodborne diseases, underscoring the need for robust food safety management systems. This chapter aims to equip students with an understanding of these issues, national and international food standards, and potential career opportunities in the field.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Home Science |
| Book | Manav Paristhitik avam Parivar Vigyan Bhag 1 |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — अध् यायय 5 |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 623 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the significance of various issues related to food safety and quality.
- Comprehend the causes and impact of foodborne diseases.
- Identify national and international food standards and their role in ensuring food quality and safety.
- Appreciate the importance of food safety management systems.
- Become familiar with livelihood opportunities in the field of food quality and safety.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| असुरक्षित भोजन | Unsafe food |
| खाद्य-जनित रोग | Foodborne diseases |
| संदूषित | Contaminated |
| मिलावटी | Adulterated |
| सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य | Public health |
| उत्पादकता | Productivity |
| संसाधित | Processed |
| उपभोक्ता | Consumer |
| सूक्ष्मजैविक | Microbial |
| प्रतिजैविक प्रतिरोधकता | Antibiotic resistance |
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Practice questions
- What is the primary determinant of a population's health and productivity? Answer: Food is the primary determinant of a population's health and productivity.
- What are the consequences of consuming unsafe food? Answer: Unsafe food can lead to various foodborne diseases, health problems, economic losses, and hinder development.
- Why has the importance of food safety and quality increased in recent times? Answer: The importance has increased due to lifestyle changes, increased consumption of processed foods, large-scale production and distribution, and the rise of foodborne microbial diseases.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is a major public health issue globally related to food?
Explanation: Foodborne diseases are a significant public health concern worldwide, causing millions of illnesses and deaths annually.
Q2. According to the National Family Health Survey, 2015-16, how many cases of severe diarrhea were reported annually in children under 5 in India?
Explanation: The survey indicated that over 9 lakh cases of severe diarrhea were reported annually in children under 5 years of age in India.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of foodborne diseases mentioned in the text?
Explanation: Foodborne diseases lead to economic losses, damage to trade and tourism, and increased litigation, not increased employment.
Q4. What has led to an increase in the demand for processed and packaged food products?
Explanation: Technological advancements, coupled with increased per capita income and better purchasing power, have driven the demand for processed and packaged food products.
Q5. Which factor has contributed to the increase in foodborne microbial diseases globally?
Explanation: Microbial adaptation, antibiotic resistance, altered human susceptibility, and international travel have collectively increased the incidence of foodborne microbial diseases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of Chapter 5 of NCERT Class 12 Home Science?
Chapter 5 focuses on the critical importance of food quality and safety, discussing foodborne diseases, their impact, and the measures needed to ensure safe food consumption.
Why is food safety a significant concern in India?
Food safety is a concern in India due to the high incidence of foodborne diseases, especially diarrhea in young children, which has significant public health and economic consequences.
How have changes in lifestyle affected food safety?
Changes in lifestyle have led to more people eating outside and increased consumption of processed and packaged foods, which require careful safety assessment and handling.
What are some factors contributing to the rise of foodborne microbial diseases?
Factors include microbial adaptation, antibiotic resistance, changes in human susceptibility, and increased international travel.
What is the role of national and international food standards?
These standards help ensure the quality and safety of food products, protecting public health and facilitating trade.
What does the chapter suggest about career opportunities?
The chapter introduces students to potential livelihood opportunities and career options within the field of food quality and safety.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 Home Science — Manav Paristhitik avam Parivar Vigyan Bhag 1 — Chapter 5 — अध् यायय 5. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.