August 21, 2017
Pork gelatin is an additive that helps improve the texture of certain foods and that is why it is commonly used by manufacturers.You may not know it: its use is not limited to agro-food. Indeed, drugs and even vaccines contain it.
Pork gelatin: an additive found everywhere
Although pork gelatin is not unfit for consumption, people of Jewish or Muslim faith cannot consume it for religious reasons. As for vegans and vegetarians, they don’t eat it either. If the shelves of supermarkets offer a whole range of halal foods or foods intended for specific diets, some products that we do not suspect, contain pork gelatin.
Made from carcasses and crushed bones of animal origin, pork gelatin, also referred to as E428 or E441, is odorless and flavorless. This is why it is difficult to detect it if the label does not clearly mention its presence by indicating “porcine gelatin”.. Moreover, it is not the only natural gelling agent, since there are also others such as agar agar or pectin, the origin of which is vegetable.
Pork in a compulsory vaccine
However, there are (almost) everywhere! Certain foods are already known to contain this additive and to affirm that the Haribo candies which delight the taste buds of young and old is not a scoop … According to our colleagues from Dauphiné, pork gelatin ” slips into the preparations of ice cream, spread, cream cake, sauce of cooked dishes, pizza … “, but also ” in fruit juice, beer or wine “. Even dairy products like butter and low-fat yogurts contain it! Cosmetics are not spared : ” some toothpastes contain it, such as “Pure Breath” from Signal or “Essential Whitening Care” from Sanogyl », We read in the columns of the newspaper.
What is less known is that pork gelatin is also present in medicines. The vaccines ProQuad, Varivax, Zostavax, Fluenz Tetra and, the one that is mandatory and helps fight against measles, mumps and rubella: MM-RVAXPRO. Finally, keep in mind that all medicine in capsule form is most likely made from this component.
Perrine Deurot-Bien
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