Definition and classification of Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements MCQs With Answer

This concise guide covers the definition and classification of Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements with emphasis on bioactive compounds, mechanisms, classification criteria, examples and regulatory aspects—key concepts for B. Pharm students. You will learn clear definitions, how functional foods differ from nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, classification by source and function (conventional, fortified, enriched, herbal, microbial), common examples (probiotics, prebiotics, omega‑3, vitamins, phytochemicals), and practical topics such as safety, quality control, bioavailability enhancement, labeling and relevant regulations (FDA/DSHEA, FSSAI). This focused overview supports formulation, evaluation and clinical reasoning in pharmacy practice. ‘Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.’

Q1. Which statement best defines a functional food?

• A food that contains added pharmaceutical drugs
• A food that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition due to bioactive components
• A food marketed as a medicine
• A prescription-only dietary product

Correct Answer: A food that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition due to bioactive components

Q2. Which of the following best describes a nutraceutical?

• A food ingredient used only for flavoring
• A product derived from food claimed to provide medical or health benefits, including prevention and treatment of disease
• A conventional drug synthesized chemically
• A household supplement with no bioactive compounds

Correct Answer: A product derived from food claimed to provide medical or health benefits, including prevention and treatment of disease

Q3. According to DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act), a dietary supplement is defined as a product intended to:

• Replace prescription drugs
• Diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
• Supplement the diet that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or metabolites
• Be used exclusively for parenteral nutrition

Correct Answer: Supplement the diet that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or metabolites

Q4. Which classification describes foods with added nutrients to restore levels lost during processing?

• Fortified foods
• Enriched foods
• Enhanced foods
• Functionalized foods

Correct Answer: Enriched foods

Q5. Which example is correctly categorized as a probiotic functional food?

• Pasteurized milk with added vitamin D
• Yogurt containing live Lactobacillus rhamnosus cultures
• High-fiber cereal with added inulin
• Cocoa powder enriched with iron

Correct Answer: Yogurt containing live Lactobacillus rhamnosus cultures

Q6. What is the primary mechanism by which prebiotics exert health benefits?

• Directly kill pathogenic bacteria in the gut
• Serve as non-digestible substrates that selectively stimulate beneficial gut microbiota
• Act as synthetic antibiotics
• Provide live microorganisms to the intestine

Correct Answer: Serve as non-digestible substrates that selectively stimulate beneficial gut microbiota

Q7. Which compound is the principal bioactive responsible for garlic’s claimed nutraceutical effects?

• Allicin
• Curcumin
• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
• Resveratrol

Correct Answer: Allicin

Q8. The term GRAS stands for:

• Generally Recognized as Safe
• Generally Regulated as Supplement
• Grade of Registered Active Substance
• Globally Recognized Active Substance

Correct Answer: Generally Recognized as Safe

Q9. Which regulatory body is primarily responsible for dietary supplement regulation in India?

• FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration)
• MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)
• FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)
• EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)

Correct Answer: FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)

Q10. Which statement differentiates a functional food from a dietary supplement?

• Functional foods are always prescription-only products
• Dietary supplements are typically consumed in dose form and not as conventional foods
• Functional foods never contain added vitamins
• Dietary supplements must be injected

Correct Answer: Dietary supplements are typically consumed in dose form and not as conventional foods

Q11. Synbiotics are defined as:

• A combination of prodrugs and antibiotics
• A combination of probiotics and prebiotics intended to synergistically benefit the host
• Herbal extracts standardized to a single marker
• Synthetic vitamins mixed with minerals

Correct Answer: A combination of probiotics and prebiotics intended to synergistically benefit the host

Q12. Which classification by source is correct for nutraceuticals?

• Only synthetic chemical origin
• Plant, animal, microbial and marine sources
• Exclusively mineral origin
• Only genetically modified organisms

Correct Answer: Plant, animal, microbial and marine sources

Q13. Which of the following is a common challenge in nutraceutical development related to active compounds?

• Excessively high water solubility of all phytochemicals
• Poor bioavailability and instability of many bioactive constituents
• Universal oral toxicity of herbal extracts
• Complete lack of in vitro assay methods

Correct Answer: Poor bioavailability and instability of many bioactive constituents

Q14. Which of these is an appropriate strategy to enhance bioavailability of a lipophilic nutraceutical?

• Use of oil-in-water nanoemulsions or lipid-based carriers
• Converting it into an insoluble crystalline form
• Avoiding any formulation and using raw powder
• Administering only via inhalation

Correct Answer: Use of oil-in-water nanoemulsions or lipid-based carriers

Q15. Which labeling element is typically required on dietary supplement packaging in the USA?

• Prescription number
• Supplement Facts panel listing serving size and nutrient amounts
• Guarantee of cure for specific diseases
• Expiration date only in code form

Correct Answer: Supplement Facts panel listing serving size and nutrient amounts

Q16. Which claim can a dietary supplement manufacturer make without being classified as a drug under DSHEA?

• Claims to cure diabetes
• Structure/function claims about maintaining normal cholesterol levels with supporting evidence
• Claims to treat cancer
• Guaranteed prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

Correct Answer: Structure/function claims about maintaining normal cholesterol levels with supporting evidence

Q17. Which marker compound is commonly used to standardize turmeric-based nutraceuticals?

• Allicin
• Curcumin
• Quercetin
• EPA

Correct Answer: Curcumin

Q18. Which adverse effect is most characteristically associated with chronic excess vitamin A intake?

• Hypokalemia
• Teratogenicity and hepatotoxicity
• Severe hypoglycemia
• Immediate anaphylactic shock in all users

Correct Answer: Teratogenicity and hepatotoxicity

Q19. Which of the following best describes a fortified food?

• A food to which nutrients have been added in amounts greater than those originally present
• A food deprived of all micronutrients
• A natural food without any processing
• Any prescription supplement in capsule form

Correct Answer: A food to which nutrients have been added in amounts greater than those originally present

Q20. What does Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) ensure for dietary supplements?

• That every product is a licensed drug
• Consistent quality, purity, and identity through proper manufacturing controls
• That supplements are always effective for disease treatment
• That products are free from all trace elements

Correct Answer: Consistent quality, purity, and identity through proper manufacturing controls

Q21. Which type of clinical evidence provides the strongest proof of efficacy for a nutraceutical?

• Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials
• Single case report
• Anecdotal testimonials
• In vitro assays only

Correct Answer: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials

Q22. Which of the following is an example of a marine-derived nutraceutical?

• Glucosamine from shellfish
• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) from fish oil
• Curcumin from turmeric
• Resveratrol from grapes

Correct Answer: Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) from fish oil

Q23. In risk assessment for dietary supplements, what does UL stand for?

• Usual Limit
• Tolerable Upper Intake Level
• Universal License
• Unregulated List

Correct Answer: Tolerable Upper Intake Level

Q24. Which analytical requirement is critical for quality control of herbal nutraceuticals?

• Standardization to one or more phytochemical marker compounds and absence of contaminants
• Only organoleptic testing without assays
• Relying solely on supplier claims
• No testing if labeled organic

Correct Answer: Standardization to one or more phytochemical marker compounds and absence of contaminants

Q25. Which is a legitimate safety concern specifically for probiotics?

• Risk of systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals
• Guaranteed nutrient toxicity
• Immediate liver failure in all consumers
• Complete destruction of gut microbiota in healthy people

Correct Answer: Risk of systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals

Q26. Which functional food example is correctly matched with its primary health claim?

• Fortified orange juice with added calcium — primary claim: improved cognitive function
• Yogurt with live cultures — primary claim: supports gut microbiota balance
• Refined sugar — primary claim: lowers cholesterol
• Salt with iodine removed — primary claim: prevents iodine deficiency

Correct Answer: Yogurt with live cultures — primary claim: supports gut microbiota balance

Q27. Which phytochemical class includes flavonoids and is commonly cited for antioxidant activity?

• Terpenoids
• Alkaloids
• Polyphenols
• Peptides

Correct Answer: Polyphenols

Q28. Which practice reduces the risk of adulteration and contamination in nutraceutical manufacturing?

• Batch testing, traceability, supplier qualification and GMP compliance
• Avoiding all quality checks to reduce costs
• Labeling without any ingredient verification
• Using unqualified raw material suppliers exclusively

Correct Answer: Batch testing, traceability, supplier qualification and GMP compliance

Q29. Which of these is a correct example of a structure/function claim allowed on dietary supplements in many jurisdictions?

• “Cures arthritis within 2 weeks”
• “Supports joint cartilage health when taken as directed”
• “Prevents heart disease in everyone”
• “Guaranteed weight loss without diet or exercise”

Correct Answer: “Supports joint cartilage health when taken as directed”

Q30. Which factor is most important when choosing an appropriate carrier for a water-insoluble nutraceutical in oral formulation?

• Choosing a carrier that decreases solubility further
• Selecting lipid-based or surfactant systems to enhance solubilization and absorption
• Using carriers that are intentionally toxic to improve uptake
• Avoiding any formulation strategy to keep costs down

Correct Answer: Selecting lipid-based or surfactant systems to enhance solubilization and absorption

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