Gross Food Ingredients You Didn’t Know You Were Eating
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We humans have always loved food. And with every passing era, our love for food has only increased. And right now, we live in an age where the culinary world is one of the most celebrated ones. There was a time when we would create dishes right from scratch, i.e. by picking it up from the gardens or the farms, bringing it home and cooking the food. But in the fast-paced life that we are a part of right now, we want everything to be quick. For example, when we want to relish pizza, we want it in front of us in less than thirty minutes. When we feel like having a dessert, we don’t cook it, we just grab the on-the-go ones from the nearest supermarkets. Such is the level of love for fast food today. And this need has given rise to many foods that are manufactured and can be termed as processed food.
Ideally, whenever a food product is released into the world, according to the norms, the manufacturer needs to mention the list of all ingredients on the label of the food product. The manufacturer surely does so but in a sly manner. If you look at the table of ingredients used in your favorite food product, you’ll notice how half of the ingredients used are not in a language that is understandable by the common man. Only extensive research of those names of ingredients will help us understand what it is. For years now, we have been eating some really gross ingredients that have been a part of our favorite foods. And we had no idea about them, let’s take a look at a few among these.
1. Cellulose
Cellulose was most commonly used in the making of cheese. However, now, it is being used in making everything right from your low-fat ice cream to your favorite bread. Why is cellulose added?
It is added to stop your cheese from shredding sooner, to add more fiber content to your white bread, or to remove fat from the ice cream and still keep it creamy.
Where is this cellulose got from? The answer lies in the above image, sawdust! Processed wood fibers are being used to add more fiber content to our foods. And mind you, these are not even digestible by us humans. Now, you know why your low-fat ice cream is so creamy.
2. Silicon Dioxide
Did you know that the smart name for sand is nothing but silicon dioxide? Now recall how many times you’ve read it in the list of ingredients of various products you’ve used.
Why is silicon dioxide added?
It is generally added to powdered food products like salt, soup, coffee creamer, etc. It is added to avoid the food particles from sticking to each other.
Where is this silicon dioxide got from?
From the beach, Duh-uh!
3. Carmine (Insect Dye)
The pigment carmine, also known as cochineal extract or E120 is a popular food coloring ingredient and it surely does its job well.
Why is carmine added?
It is used to give your food a natural-looking red color that makes the consumers believe that it’s tasty and looks delicious naturally.
Where is carmine got from?
Bugs, lots of bugs! the Cochineal bugs to be specific. They are dried in the sun and ground to make the food coloring agent to your favorite foods.
4. Lanolin (Sheep Wool Grease)
Lanolin is a kind of waxy secretion that the sheep produce to prevent any water from sticking to their wool. It is extensively used in making skincare products and wax polishes.
Why is Lanolin added?
That chewing gum which is a gum but doesn’t stick to your mouth inside? That moisturizer which is bound to make your dry skin feel nourished without having to feel sticky? Lanolin is used for these purposes.
Where is Lanolin got from?
It is got from sheep. You can rightly call it a grease that is produced by the wool of the sheep.
5. Castoreum
Castoreum is a scent used in foods to make it artificially flavored. Its natural sources are raspberries and vanilla bean which are very expensive.
Why is castoreum added?
It is added to give that succulent smell that appeals to our nostrils before our taste buds feel heavenly. Most of the flavored ice creams, cakes, and even certain perfumes have castoreum in them. However, a majority of the flavored foods don’t use the natural extracts for flavors; they have found a cheaper alternative to do the same.
Where is Castoreum got from?
You will be shocked to know that the attractive smell of your favorite vanilla or raspberry sundaes are got by an extract from beaver’s anal scent glands. Shocking, isn’t it?
We all call ourselves educated and still end up eating foods just because they taste or smell good. We seldom realize that reading and researching about the list of ingredients will help us understand the food we are consuming better. Were you aware of these gross food ingredients before? Let us know in the comments below.
