Top Ten Disgusting Ingredients Youve Probably Eaten Today

10. Silicon Dioxide

10.Silicon Dioxide

Oxygen (46.6%), silicon (27.7%) and aluminum (8%) are the first three most abundant elements in the earths crust. Crystalline forms of silica include quartz, cristobalite and tridymite. Silicon dioxide is the main chemical compound of sand. This element raises concern when it is used as an additive. Amorphous silicon dioxide (E551 in Europe) is one of the most important anti-caking agents. The FDA allows the use of SiO2 and considers it safe, as long as it doesnt exceed 2% of the foods weight. You can find it in everything from processed meat, spice powders, instant soups & sauces, snack bars, supplements, pharmaceutical drug tablets and more.

9. Borax

9.Borax

Discovered over 4,000 years ago, borax is also known as birax, sodium borate, or sodium tetra-borate, and is usually found deep underground. Sodium borate is a crystalline compound that is the sodium salt of boric acid. The term borax is widely used to refer both to a miracle mineral, and to a refined compound with countless applications. Borax is king indeed, just like the above ad states. The mineral keeps mice, bugs, ants and mold away. It is used as a multipurpose cleaner, fire retardant, fungicide, herbicide andfood preservative. Borax is banned as a food additive (E285) in the United States, but it is allowed in imported caviar. E285 is legal in the European Union and Asia.

8.Gelatin

8.Gelatin

The flavorless and translucent substance may be used as a stabilizer, texture enhancer, or thickening agent in foods. The active element of gelatin is the collagen obtained from various animal parts. According to Professor M.C. Gomez-Guilln, the most abundant sources of gelatin are pig skin (46%), bovine hide (29.4%) and pork and cattle bones (23.1%).

7.Shellac

7.Shellac

Shellac is obtained by refining the secretions of the Kerria lacca insects. Native to South-East Asia, the insects reside in colonies of thousands on trees such as Kusum, Ficus, Palas, and Ber. It takes approximately 300,000 lac bugs to produce a one-kilogram sack of shellac.

6. Carmine

6.Carmine

You may have recently heard that Starbucks decided to stop using carmine as colorant. No more insect-derived coloring in the Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino, or Red Velvet Whoopie Pie! Carmine is obtained from female cochineal insects. After the bugs are killed by immersion in hot water, or exposure to heat, and then dried, their abdomen is extracted and cooked at high temperatures (it contains the most carmine).

5. Human Hair And Duck Feathers

Yuck

5 Human Hair
And Duck Feathers

L-cysteine is a common flavor enhancer and dough conditioner used in bakery products (pizza, crackers, bagels, bread, croissants and donuts, to name a few). While some L-cysteine is chemically synthesized in labs, most of this non-essential amino acid is extracted from human hair or duck feathers.

4.Cellulose

4.Cellulose

Cellulose comes in a variety of forms powdered cellulose (E460ii), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC or E460i) or cellulose gum each with a specific use. The odorless and tasteless powdered cellulose is sourced from either bamboo or cotton-based plant material. Often labeled as high-fiber or reduced fat, the miracle ingredient may be used in the following foods: cheese, yogurt, ice cream, processed fruits, vegetables, cereals, pre-cooked pasta, and bakery wares.

3.Castoreum, Civet

3.Castoreum, Civet

The same substance that beavers naturally secrete to mark their territories, gives flavor (?!) to certain foods. Castoreum is a bitter, strongly odoriferous secretion, produced by the animals sacs. These sacs are located by the anal glands

What?!

2. Insect Filth, Mold, Rodent Filth, Maggots

2.Insect Filth, Mold, Rodent Filth, Maggots

The US Food and Drug Administration condones a certain percentage of natural contaminants in the food supply chain. Heres how many of these yummy-nummies to expect in your food: All spice, ground: average of 30 or more insect fragments / 10g; 1 or more rodent hairs / 10g Berries: average mold count is 60% or more; average of 4 or more larvae per 500 g; 10 or more whole insects or equivalent per 500 g.

And Lastly...

1. The First Approval Of Viruses As A Food Additive

What The Virus?!

1. Viruses

The Food and Drug Administration approved, six years ago, a cocktail of bacteria-killing viruses to prevent listeriosis. There are about 1600 cases of listeriosis, with 410 deaths per year in the United States.

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