Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

Question

Accepted Answer

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Identify the meaning of each statement:
   - (1) Claims fats and oils get "reduced" over time and smell bad.
   - (2) Says fats and oils are oxidised and become rancid.
   - (3) Says antioxidants are added to prevent oxidation.
   - (4) Says chip manufacturers flush bags with nitrogen to prevent rancidity.

2. Chemistry clarification:
   - Rancidity of fats is due to oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, forming hydroperoxides and secondary products that smell bad. This involves reaction with molecular oxygen $O_2$ (oxidation), not reduction.
   - Oxidation in organic chemistry often means loss of hydrogen or gain of oxygen/electrons; reduction is the opposite.

3. Evaluate each statement:
   - (1) Incorrect wording: fats become rancid because they are oxidised, so saying they get "reduced" is wrong (though the consequence “smell bad” is correct).
   - (2) Correct: oxidation causes rancidity.
   - (3) Correct: antioxidants inhibit oxidation and are added to fat-containing foods.
   - (4) Correct: flushing with inert nitrogen removes $O_2$ and slows oxidative rancidity.

Conclusion: Statement (1) is incorrect because rancidity is caused by oxidation, not reduction.

FINAL_ANSWER: a

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