Is “Natural” Vanilla Flavoring Really From Beavers’ Anal Glands?
14 months.
By now, I’ve well established myself as “that dad” who is a health nut vegetarian who won’t allow his son to eat processed foods; that includes fruit juice.
I’ve been very clear that I deem the FDA as illegitimate. Why?
Because if they were doing their job, I wouldn’t have to ask the question I did in the title of this article. Unfortunately, I can not tell you either way whether or not Jamie Oliver is accurate to say that vanilla and strawberry flavoring is made from castoreum, which is derived from the anal glad of beavers.
Unfortunately, Wikipedia confirms this absurd concept. I’ve been rechecking their entry for “castoreum” since last April when Jamie Oliver started talking about this and no one has changed or edited it. At this point, I believe it’s true:
“In the United States, Castoreum has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food additive, often referenced simply as a ‘natural flavoring’ in the product’s list of ingredients. It is commonly used in both food and beverages, especially as vanilla and raspberry flavoring.”
Again, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation. We shouldn’t have to guess whether or not our children’s animal crackers really are made from beavers’ anal glands.
It’s reasons like this that I make such a deliberate effort to avoid processed foods as much as possible. But see how tricky it is?
Food companies are able to get away with calling beaver anal glands “natural flavoring” while the FDA gives the thumb up.
Sorry, but castoreum is just a little too natural for me.
Let me close with this thought:
Who am I to go around proclaiming that “natural” vanilla flavoring definitely comes from beavers? I have no proof, other than Jamie Oliver and Wikipedia.
Okay then, prove me wrong. Or prove me right.
Can anyone provide solid evidence that this is true or not? Let’s set the story straight.
Otherwise, I will continue to avoid beavers’ anal glands the best way I know how: By staying away from “natural” vanilla flavored anything.
Sorry son, but you’re not old enough to know where vanilla ice cream comes from…
Categories: Health, Must Read | Tags: beaver anal glands, FDA, food additives, Health, Jamie Oliver, processed foods, vanilla
3 Comments
by Emm
On March 31, 2012 at 4:56 pm
I’m intrigued now as well. I always thought the ‘natural’ in natural flavoring was vanilla bean and or a combination of cheaper flavors to mimic vanilla flavor.
Where is this vast supply of castoreum coming from? Is it a by product of the fur industry? That’s the only place I can think of that would have a supply of beaver ‘parts’.
by Rebecca McGrane
On May 16, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Lead and mercury are both all natural.
Here are some links to more information about castoreum:
WebMD
National Institute of Health
Remember cocaine was once thought safe for use in small doses.
by Jessica
On May 23, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I researched this and found the following article through my university’s library (CSU, Long Beach). I only posted the first bit here for you, but if you would like the entire article I’d be happy to send it to you. It’s a PDF. Just email me with “Beaver Flavor” as the subject line. My email address is: r e e b . r e v o l at gmail. com. No spaces obviously. It’s only 6 pages but it does confirm the beaver butt excretions are used in our food. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever read.
Journal: International journal of toxicology.
Volume: 26
Issue: 1
Year: 2007
Pages: 51-55
Article Title: Safety assessment of castoreum extract as a food ingredient.
Author: Burdock, George A.
Castoreum extract (CAS NO. 8023-83-4; FEMA NO. 2261) is a natural product prepared by direct hot-alcohol extraction of castoreum, the dried and macerated castor sac scent glands (and their secretions) from the male or female beaver. It has been used extensively in perfumery and has been added to food as a flavor ingredient for at least 80 years.