So there are folks pressing for even MORE transparency. Like that HFCS pink yoghurt in theose little cups should be honest and say: "Contains Ingredients from Insects." Naturally, the food industry wants nothing of the sort!
I did the happy dance of joy when the author went on to list other food ingredients with "the ick factor."
Direct cite from the article:
Some other surprising food ingredients with an ick factor include:
• Shellac: The secretions from the lac beetle found in India and Thailand are used to give confections such as Skittles and candy sprinkles a shiny coating.
"Nothing synthetic does this as well," Reineccius said, adding that, yes, it's the same shellac that's used to finish wood. Jacobson said it can also be used on fruits and vegetables to seal them.
• Rennet: An enzyme taken from veal calves at the time of slaughter is added to milk to make cheese. At some point in ancient history, someone put milk in a bag made of a calf's stomach and discovered that it curdled, and cheese was born. A non-animal version is microbial enzyme. It sounds better when it's listed as "vegetable rennet" on cheese labels.
• Castoreum is bizarre, said Reineccius. It's a secretion from the anal glands of beavers, used mostly in perfumes and sometimes to enhance raspberry flavor in candies and fillings. How did it make the jump from beavers to perfume?
It was an article I was happy to see... way to go Food News in the Midwest! Hooray!
You can read the article here for yourself!
2 comments:
Deer B,
I'm totally with you, except for this part:
Problem is, even if it goes from "natural red coloring" to "Carmine" who in the mainstream could tell you what Carmine is? Um, yeah, hardly a soul!
It's not entirely up to the food manufacturers. People need to be responsible for their own (lazy) selves.
However, as is your main point, people can't make a choice if the information isn't there.
And while we're at it, can the ingredient labels be printed larger? I mean, seriously, it's like a 7-font. I'm getting old man, I can't read that without getting a headache.
@Sara -- I agree with you 100%. People do need to be more active in pursuit of their own information. And yes, the ingredient list really ought to be in a much much bigger font.
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