Buzz
Food, a necessity for life, can either be a joy or a burden for many. While we generally know what we're eating, especially when preparing meals at home, there are hidden ingredients in mass-produced foods that we might not want to think about. This list highlights ten of the most bizarre ingredients found in contemporary cooking, focusing on the present-day rather than historical examples. Enjoy exploring these oddities!
10. Gold
Gold is widely known for its use in jewelry and electronics, but it also appears as a food ingredient. Often used decoratively in the form of gold leaf (E number E175), it is commonly added to alcoholic beverages. A traditional Polish and German liqueur, Goldwasser (Goldwater), contains countless tiny gold flakes. Since gold is chemically inert, it passes through the body without being altered and provides no nutritional benefit.
9. Viruses
In August 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of bacteriophages in food preparation, particularly for ready-to-eat meat products. A bacteriophage is a virus that targets bacteria, and its purpose in food is to eliminate any harmful bacteria that could cause food poisoning. Each year, 2,500 Americans fall ill from listeriosis, so millions of people now unknowingly consume viruses in their food to help prevent this. Interestingly, the FDA doesn't require labeling for foods treated with these viruses. The agency states, 'As long as it [is] used in accordance with the regulations, we have concluded it’s safe.' Whether this is worth it is up to you to decide.
8. Borax
Borax: a fire retardant, insecticide, treatment for horse thrush, and a key ingredient in glass and detergent. Interestingly, while Borax is illegal as a food additive in the United States (though it’s allowed in imported caviar – a luxury for the government elite), it is used as a preservative in caviar in many other countries. In certain Asian nations, Borax is found in noodles, meatballs, and steamed rice, with an E number of E285. However, Borax can have severe toxic effects on humans, particularly affecting the testes.
7. Coal Tar
Amaranth was once used as a red food coloring, but due to its extreme carcinogenic properties, a substitute was found: Allura Red AC (E129). Allura Red AC is derived from coal tar, a liquid by-product of transforming coal into gas or coke. Coal tar is flammable and often used in medicated shampoos to treat head lice. It's also an ingredient in the production of Tylenol. Although Allura Red AC is not carcinogenic, it can cause vomiting and other side effects in some individuals. Nevertheless, it is FDA-approved and widely used in candy and soft drinks.
6. Varnish
To be more specific, we're discussing shellac, a substance once commonly used as a varnish from around 1880 to 1930 before being replaced by lacquer. Shellac is also used in baking and in mass-produced candy to give products a glossy finish. For many, the most common source of shellac in their diet is from Skittles, the colorful, fruit-flavored candies. And while we enjoy eating shellac, it's important to note that it is derived from the secretion of the female lac beetle, who excretes it onto branches to help her cocoon stick.
5. Bugs
Cochineal and carmine are two red food colorants made from bugs – specifically, the cochineal insect. Cochineal is created by drying and pulverizing the entire body of the insect, while carmine is a derivative of cochineal powder. To produce these dyes, the bugs are typically boiled, and the length of time they’re submerged in the water determines the intensity of the color, from a light orange to a vivid red. It takes 155,000 insects to produce two pounds of food dye. Cochineal has been in use for centuries and is also a well-known fabric dye.
4. Cigarettes
Yes, you read that correctly... While cigarette smoking has been banned in bars and pubs around the globe, someone came up with an interesting idea: if you can't smoke it, why not eat it? The concept involves taking a fine spirit, usually vodka (though sometimes brandy), and dropping a cigarette or two into it (or a cigar for brandy). The nicotine, along with other chemicals, seeps out of the cigarette and imparts flavor and color to the drink. These beverages are often referred to as 'nicotine tea'. I had the dubious pleasure of trying one at a bar recently, and I can’t say I found the experience enjoyable.
3. Poop
A common compound found in feces is called skatole. The term comes from the ancient Greek root 'skat,' meaning 'dung'—the same root from which we get the word 'scatology,' the study of feces. Skatole is produced in the digestive tract of mammals, and unsurprisingly, it has the odor of poop. This rather unpleasant ingredient is used in cigarettes, various perfumes, and, most notably for this list, strawberry ice cream. Someone figured out that the flavor of strawberry is enhanced with a dash of this compound. Personally, I’ll stick to pepper.
Contributor: JFrater
2. Human Hair
L-cysteine is an amino acid commonly added to baked goods to improve dough elasticity and softness. It’s also a common ingredient in hair perm solutions. You can find L-cysteine in a wide variety of products, from bagels and doughnuts to bread, cookies, and many other treats. The most cost-effective method of producing L-cysteine today involves a chemical process using human hair, most of which is sourced and processed in China. This practice has sparked debates about whether consuming products with L-cysteine could be considered a form of cannibalism. In China, it was even used in the production of soy sauce, with a manufacturer openly admitting that the amino acid syrup was derived from human hair collected from salons, barbershops, and hospitals—often mixed with unsanitary materials like used cotton, syringes, and even menstrual pads.
1. Beaver Ass
In a previous list, we talked about civet coffee—the expensive coffee beans harvested from the poop of civets. If it weren’t for the fact that civet anal secretion (civetone) is now synthetically produced, it would have made this list. However, beaver anal secretion, known as castoreum, hasn’t yet been replicated artificially, and it is still used in food products. It’s most commonly used as a flavor enhancer in raspberry-flavored items, allegedly adding a rich, rounded taste. It’s also found in chewing gum and cigarettes. The real mystery here is: who first discovered that beaver butt juice pairs well with raspberries?
