Concept:
Artificial colors are often used to make old or stale vegetables look fresh.
• Dyes: Chemicals used to impart color.
• Toxicity: Many industrial dyes are carcinogenic and banned in food.
Step 1: Analyzing the color of fresh peas.
Old or poorly stored peas lose their vibrant green color and turn yellowish.
Unscrupulous traders use dyes to restore the "fresh" green look.
Step 2: Identifying Malachite Green.
Malachite green is a toxic industrial dye.
It is the most common adulterant used to color green vegetables like peas and chilies.
Step 3: Testing for adulteration.
A simple test involves rubbing the peas with a cotton swab soaked in water or oil.
If the cotton turns green, the peas are adulterated with Malachite green.
Final Answer: (A)