Are you aware of the hidden animal-derived ingredients in your favorite snacks?
While it’s easy to avoid obvious pork products like ham and bacon, few of us realize how clever the food industry is in adding pork to our diets in the form of gelatin and enzymes.
From Jell-O to gummy bears, wine to fruit snacks, and even toothpaste to cosmetics, pork can be found in unexpected places.
In this article, we’ll explore some common snacks that contain pork and how to identify them on the label.
Get ready to be surprised!
What Snacks Contain Pork?
1. Gelatin-Based Snacks:
Gelatin is a common ingredient in many snacks, including Jell-O, gummy bears, and fruit snacks. Unfortunately, gelatin is often derived from pork, making these snacks off-limits for those avoiding pork products.
2. Chips and Crackers:
Some brands of chips and crackers use pork enzymes to enhance their flavor. Look out for powdered cheese flavoring on chips and store-bought macaroni with cheese, which can contain casein, whey, or animal-derived enzymes.
3. Baked Goods:
Cysteine is used in many baked goods such as bread to create a more extensible dough with improved pan flow. Cysteine is most often synthesized from hair, such as pig bristles.
4. Instant Soup:
Some seasonings in soup contain traces of bacon.
5. Yogurt and Cream Cheese:
Gelatin is used as a thickener in some yogurt and cream cheese products.
6. Chewing Gum:
Stearic acid is used in many chewing gums. It is obtained from animal fats, mostly from a pig’s stomach.
7. Wine and Beer:
Gelatin, a product derived from pig body parts, is used in many wine purification processes.
The Surprising Presence Of Pork In Snacks
Many people are not aware that various unexpected snacks contain animal-derived ingredients such as body parts from pigs. Small amounts can be found in a variety of snacks which are skillfully hidden by creative names and vague labeling. For example, gelatin is a common ingredient in many snacks, including Jell-O, gummy bears, and fruit snacks. Unfortunately, gelatin is often derived from pork, making these snacks off-limits for those avoiding pork products.
In addition to gelatin-based snacks, some brands of chips and crackers use pork enzymes to enhance their flavor. Look out for powdered cheese flavoring on chips and store-bought macaroni with cheese, which can contain casein, whey, or animal-derived enzymes. Similarly, cysteine is used in many baked goods such as bread to create a more extensible dough with improved pan flow. Cysteine is most often synthesized from hair, such as pig bristles.
Surprisingly, even some seasonings in soup contain traces of bacon. Gelatin is also used as a thickener in some yogurt and cream cheese products. In chewing gum, stearic acid is used as a softening agent and is obtained from animal fats, mostly from a pig’s stomach. Lastly, gelatin, a product derived from pig body parts, is used in many wine purification processes.
It’s important to check the ingredients list carefully when purchasing snacks and familiarize yourself with terms like lard, animal fat, animal glyceride, hydrolyzed animal protein, glycerin and gelatin on the label to reduce your intake of animal-based products. The presence of undeclared animal species in processed meat products indicates a need for food authenticity monitoring. In cases where it may not be practically feasible to prevent the adventitious presence of unintended animal species despite adhering to the highest standards of production, it may be advisable for manufacturers to implement precautionary labeling.
Understanding The Use Of Gelatin And Enzymes In Food Production
Gelatin is a protein derived from the collagen in cow or pig bones, skin, and connective tissues. It is often used as a thickening or stabilizing agent in various food products, including candies, yogurt, cream cheese, and wine. Almost half of the world’s production of gelatin comes from porcine hide (pig), while the rest is mainly from bovine hide (cow) and bones from cattle.
Enzymes are also used in food production to develop unique flavors in various products. Most cheese is made using enzymes, which may come from vegetable, microbial, and/or animal sources, depending on the particular cheese flavor being developed. Animal enzymes that are derived from pork (also called “porcine enzymes”) are used to develop the cheese in some cheese seasonings.
It’s important to note that gelatin and enzymes can be found in unexpected food and drinks, such as instant soup, chewing gum, and wine. To reduce your intake of animal-based products, it’s crucial to check the ingredients list carefully, familiarize yourself with the terms, and look out for words like lard, animal fat, animal glyceride, hydrolyzed animal protein, glycerin, and gelatin on the label.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that gelatin’s kosher status has been debated by halachic authorities for the past couple of centuries. Although some kosher agencies require gelatin to have a reliable kosher certification, there is a minority that will consider it kosher and pareve even from non-kosher sources.
Common Snacks That Contain Pork
Pork is a common ingredient in many unexpected snacks, making it challenging for those avoiding pork products. Here are some common snacks that contain pork:
1. Pork-Flavored Cracker:
Ritz released a pork-flavored cracker that lets foodies skip the jam altogether.
2. Pork-Infused Jams:
There is a new line of pork-infused jams that is perfect for dipping crackers in or for spreading atop a healthy multi-grain bagel.
3. Chocolate-Covered Pork Rinds:
The ‘Oink, Oink’ brand offers a sweet treat of pork rinds drenched in milk chocolate.
4. Meat Candy Floss:
Brooklyn-based ‘Carnem Prime Steakhouse’ offers guests a sweet candy floss, which is surrounding slices of braised pork belly.
These snacks offer a variety of options to satisfy overwhelming cravings, whether you’re looking for a sweet and savory pork dish or a crunchy pork cracker. However, it’s essential to check the labels carefully and look out for words like gelatin, animal fats, animal glycerine, hydrolyzed animal protein, and mono and di-glyceride to avoid consuming pork products unknowingly.
How To Read Labels And Identify Pork-Derived Ingredients
When looking to avoid pork-derived ingredients in snacks, it’s important to know how to read labels. Here are some tips:
1. Check the ingredients list:
When reading a label, look for any ingredients that may be derived from pork. These can include gelatin, stearic acid, and cysteine. If you see any unfamiliar or hard-to-pronounce ingredients, it’s best to do some research to determine their origin.
2. Look for artificial additives:
Artificial additives such as artificial coloring and sweeteners can be derived from pork. Avoid products that contain these additives.
3. Avoid processed meat products:
Processed meat products often contain fillers of other proteins, including low-quality pork products. Stick to snacks that are 100% a single protein, or clearly state that they are a combination product containing multiple proteins.
4. Research the source of enzymes:
Cheese and other dairy products may contain animal enzymes used in the cheese-making process. Do some research to determine which kind of enzymes your cheese brand uses, and opt for brands that use vegetarian or microbial enzymes.
5. Check for allergen labeling:
In some countries, including Canada and the European Union, food labels must disclose the presence of top allergens, including milk and pork-derived ingredients. Look for bolded ingredients in the ingredient statement to identify potential pork-derived ingredients.
By following these tips and doing your research, you can identify and avoid pork-derived ingredients in your snacks and other food products. Remember, being vegan is about helping animals, not maintaining personal purity, so do your best to avoid animal ingredients while also being mindful of the impact of boycotting certain products.
Alternatives To Snacks Containing Pork
If you’re looking for alternatives to snacks containing pork, there are plenty of options available. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Gelatin-Based Snacks:
Look for snacks made with alternative gelling agents such as agar-agar, carrageenan, or pectin. These ingredients can be found in fruit snacks, gummy candies, and Jell-O alternatives.
2. Chips and Crackers:
Opt for brands that use plant-based enzymes or natural flavorings instead of animal-derived ones. You can also make your own chips and crackers at home using seasonings and spices of your choice.
3. Baked Goods:
Look for bread and baked goods that use alternative dough conditioners such as enzymes or vegetable-based additives. You can also make your own bread at home using simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and salt.
4. Instant Soup:
Choose soup brands that use vegetable-based seasonings or make your own soup at home using fresh vegetables and herbs.
5. Yogurt and Cream Cheese:
Look for dairy-free alternatives made with plant-based thickeners like coconut cream or soy protein. You can also try making your own yogurt or cream cheese at home using non-dairy milk and probiotics.
6. Chewing Gum:
Choose brands that use plant-based emulsifiers like glycerin or lecithin instead of stearic acid. You can also try making your own chewing gum at home using natural ingredients like gum arabic and essential oils.
7. Wine and Beer:
Look for vegan-friendly wines and beers that use alternative fining agents like bentonite clay or activated charcoal. You can also try organic or biodynamic wines that don’t use any fining agents at all.
Conclusion: Being Mindful Of Hidden Animal-Derived Ingredients In Your Diet
It’s important to be mindful of the ingredients in the snacks and foods we consume, especially if we are trying to avoid animal-derived products. Many unexpected foods and drinks contain pig body parts, such as gelatin, cysteine, and stearic acid. These ingredients are often hidden under creative names and vague labeling, making it difficult to know what we are consuming.
By checking the ingredients list carefully, familiarizing ourselves with the terms, and looking out for words like lard, animal fat, animal glyceride, hydrolyzed animal protein, glycerin, and gelatin on the label, we can reduce our intake of animal-based products.
It’s also important to note that not all animal food substitutes are sustainable or healthy. Some of them are even ultra-processed. Consumers demand clear information and regulation, so it’s crucial for food manufacturers to be transparent about their ingredients and production methods.
Choosing a plant-based diet can be an effective way to reduce our environmental footprint, promote human health and animal welfare. However, adequate selection and combination of foods is important in order to achieve consumer acceptance while preventing nutritional deficiencies in those who choose this type of diet.