Question

Who is not responsible for adulteration ?

• A. Producer
• B. Distributor
• C. Consumer
• D. Retailer

Hint:

Think of the supply chain from creation to consumption: Producer \(\rightarrow\) Distributor \(\rightarrow\) Retailer \(\rightarrow\) Consumer. Adulteration is a fraudulent act that can happen at any of the first three stages. The consumer is the final link and the victim of this practice.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify who among the given options is not responsible for adulteration. Adulteration is the act of degrading a product (like food) by adding inferior, cheaper, or harmful substances.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the roles of each entity in the supply chain:
(A) Producer: The producer or manufacturer can be responsible for adulteration at the source by using substandard ingredients.
(B) Distributor: The distributor transports goods. They can be responsible for adulteration during storage or transit by tampering with the product.
(D) Retailer: The retailer sells the product to the end-user. They can be responsible for adulteration by mixing inferior goods with genuine ones before selling.
(C) Consumer: The consumer is the end-user who purchases and uses the product. The consumer is the victim of adulteration, not the one who performs it. They have no role in the production or supply process where adulteration occurs.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The consumer is the one who is affected by adulteration and is not responsible for carrying it out. Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.