Everybody knows that many of our favorite snacks contain additives, preservatives, and other unhealthy chemicals. However, you probably weren’t aware that a lot of them also contain rather strange ingredients, some of which are, surprisingly, not dangerous to your health. Our list presents some of the most bizarre of these ingredients.
Human Hair in Bread
Shockingly, L-cysteine, an amino acid used as a dough conditioner in bread and baked goods, is sometimes sourced from human hair. It helps improve dough elasticity and shelf life, as do alternative sources such as duck feathers, which is pretty bizarre.
Beaver Glands in Vanilla Flavoring
Another surprising ingredient hiding in our food is castoreum, a substance derived from beaver castor sacs, which are glands. This disturbing ingredient is used in many vanilla flavorings and scents. Typically labeled as “natural flavoring,” this ingredient adds a rich, vanilla-like taste, making many vanilla-flavored products unfriendly for vegetarians and vegans.
Sand in Coffee Creamer
Unless you did your research, you’d never know that silicon dioxide, more commonly known as sand, is used in powdered coffee creamers to prevent clumping. This anti-caking agent keeps the powder free-flowing. Though it sounds strange, silicon dioxide is a common additive in many foods and is considered safe to consume.
Beetles in Red Food Coloring
Believe it or not, the BBC claims that the vivid red hue in many snacks comes from carmine, a dye made from crushed cochineal beetles. This natural colorant has been employed for centuries, often in candies and yogurts. While it’s considered safe, the thought of bugs in your food can be undeniably unappetizing.
Wood Pulp in Cheese
Strangely, cellulose, a plant fiber derived from wood pulp, is used to prevent clumping in shredded cheese. This ingredient is also found in other processed foods to add bulk and texture. While it may sound odd, cellulose is safe and commonly used in the food industry, so don’t worry too much.
Fish Bladders in Beer
Many people think that beer is vegan, but that’s usually not true because Isinglass, derived from fish bladders, is used to clarify some beers and wines. This ingredient helps remove impurities, ensuring a clear beverage. Although that’s not a health concern, it’s not ideal for vegetarians and vegans, who might want to start checking their beer labels more carefully.
Coal Tar in Candy
It may not sound like it makes sense, but tartrazine, a yellow food dye derived from coal tar, is used in candies, snacks, and soft drinks. Despite its industrial origin, it remains a widely approved food additive, but it can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Sheep Wool in Chewing Gum
Another product that many people assume is vegan when, in reality, it is not is chewing gum. This isn’t because of gelatine–it’s because it contains lanolin, an oily substance from sheep wool. This ingredient provides a smooth, non-sticky texture and is actually a very safe and commonly used food additive.
Bird Feathers in Ice Cream
You will no doubt be surprised to learn that L-cysteine, which we mentioned earlier, is also sourced from bird feathers to produce ice cream, enhancing texture and creaminess. This amino acid helps improve the product’s quality and shelf life, which is quite unexpected.
Seaweed in Chocolate Milk
Despite its sweet flavor, chocolate milk actually contains carrageenan, which is derived from seaweed. It’s used to thicken and stabilize it, as well as other dairy products, helping it to maintain a smooth texture and prevent separation. Its widespread use in various foods makes it a familiar yet surprising additive.
Beet Juice in Pink Lemonade
One of the less surprising facts on this list is that the vibrant pink color of pink lemonade often comes from beet juice, which sort of makes sense. This natural colorant provides an appealing hue without synthetic dyes and best of all, it’s a healthy alternative to artificial coloring agents.
Bone Char in Sugar
Somewhat disturbingly, bone char, made from animal bones, is used to filter and whiten cane sugar. This process removes impurities and gives sugar its bright white color. While not an ingredient per se, its use in sugar refining can be unexpected for some consumers, especially vegans.
Crushed Bugs in Jelly Beans
Speaking of vegans, many of them are already aware that shellac, a shiny glaze derived from the secretions of the lac bug, is used to give jelly beans their glossy finish. This ingredient provides a smooth, appealing look, but there’s no denying that upon discovering this, many people, even meat eaters, get put off jelly beans for life.
Petroleum in Gummy Bears
When most people hear that mineral oil, derived from petroleum, is used to prevent gummy bears from sticking together, they think it’s an urban myth. It’s actually true, though; this ingredient provides a smooth coating and helps maintain the candy’s shape. Don’t worry, though–it’s totally safe.
Pine Tree Bark in Ice Cream
Yet another strange ingredient found in ice cream is guar gum, which is made from the guar bean and sometimes mixed with cellulose from pine tree bark. This concoction is used as a thickening agent in ice cream, helping to provide an artificial albeit creamy texture while also preventing ice crystals from forming.
Sawdust in Parmesan Cheese
Yet another tree product that has found its way into our food is sawdust from trees, used in grated Parmesan cheese to prevent clumping. This additive ensures the cheese remains free-flowing and easy to sprinkle. Though it might sound strange, it’s a widely accepted food ingredient and is considered safe.
Insect Secretions in Candy Coating
Yet again, bugs have made it into our candy with “confectioner’s glaze,” an ingredient made from the secretions of the lac bug. It’s used to give a glossy finish to candies and chocolates, just like in jelly beans. It truly does provide an appealing shine, but many people are, understandably, uncomfortable with consuming candy after learning this.
Bacteria in Hot Dogs
Lactic acid, produced by bacterial fermentation, is a very common ingredient in hot dogs, used to enhance their flavor and preserve freshness. This ingredient helps extend the shelf life and improve the taste of processed meats, so while its microbial origin might be surprising, it’s a standard additive.
Beef Fat in Potato Chips
Vegans should be careful when they’re eating potato chips, because even non-meat flavors can contain tallow, which is rendered from beef fat. It’s sometimes used to fry potato chips, giving them a rich flavor and crispy texture. It’s not so common these days, but you should still always read the label, just in case.
Ammonia in Cookies
Perhaps the most bizarre ingredient of all that is hiding in your favorite snacks is ammonia, used as a leavening agent in cookies and crackers. Believe it or not, it helps create a light, crisp texture. Although it might sound off-putting, it’s different from the typical ammonia you would use for cleaning, making it completely safe to consume.