Microorganisms are both a boon and a bane to the food industry. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Statement**: The statement claims that microorganisms can be both beneficial (boon) and harmful (bane) to the food industry. To agree or disagree, we need to analyze both aspects.

2. **Advantages of Microorganisms in the Food Industry**:
- **Production of Curd**: Certain bacteria, like *Lactobacillus*, are used to ferment milk into curd, which is a staple food in many cultures.
- **Alcoholic Beverages**: Yeast is used in the fermentation process to produce alcoholic drinks, which are significant in various culinary traditions.
- **Organic Acids**: Microorganisms are also involved in producing organic acids like vinegar and citric acid, which are widely used as preservatives and flavoring agents in food.
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