I just don't know how this appeared on one of my social media feed recently...

And now...I am like : *Do I share it with you or not!?*

Please don't be mad at me for this post...specially the **Ice Cream Lovers** out there!Lol!

I just can't hold myself...I have to write about it!

Let's deep dive into the subject!!!

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/03/23/15/00/ice-cream-1274894_960_720.jpg
[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/ice-cream-dessert-food-snack-1274894/)

*ps. This is not a yummy ice cream post!!! Beware, I've warned you!*

***

Couple of days back, I just saw this popping on my feed...my first reaction was ***Oh my goodness...what the heck I just learned!!!?***

From many reports and posts on the net...apparently there's a little chance that the vanilla flavored ice cream that we all love so much can contain **CASTOREUM!**

Wait...not only in vanilla flavored ice creams...but also baked goods, pudding and candy as long as they are flavored with vanilla*(not natural one!)* can contain that famous ***Castoreum!***

Castoreum is an important ingredient in flavoring these vanilla flavored foods...

### What is that 'Castoreum'!??? Where does it come from!???
###
Ok are you ready!?

Hmmm it comes from the **castor sacs of beavers!!!** 

#### BEAVERS!!!
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/06/10/16/23/beaver-1448389_960_720.jpg
[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/beaver-pond-wildlife-aquatic-cute-1448389/)
***
These sacs are a type of scent gland located between the pelvis and base of the tail!

Beavers use castoreum, which comes from their castor gland to communicate to each other : mark territory, deter predators, establish colonies, etc...

When it is secreted, castoreum is *"viscous, brownish in color, insoluble in water  and has a heavy, pungent odor."* 

https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/56f1a5e1150000ad000b2e15.jpeg?ops=scalefit_960_noupscale&format=webp
[Source](https://pixabay.com/images/search/beaver/?pagi=2&)


But once processed, it has a very pleasant smell...I even read from someone stating that beavers' posterior has a good smell...

[Joanne Crawford, a wildlife ecologist who told National Geographic that she loves putting her nose down there and breathing it all in.](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beaver-butt-might-be-in-your-ice-cream-heres-what-you-should-know_n_56f1a037e4b09bf44a9ed259)

### Are you still here!? Can I continue!?
###
I first thought this is a lie...but when I read more on vanilla and things around this subject...things got clearer!

Actually only about 5 % of the vanilla flavored foods are made from **natural vanilla** - The real stuff!

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/04/12/16/32/vanilla-719063_960_720.jpg
[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/vanilla-spices-ingredient-flavor-719063/)

And the rest...oh no, not all have castoreum! But there's a slight chance that you might have already enjoyed some foods with it in the past!!! Hahaha!

The best thing to do in order to avoid consuming it is to go for only food where you are sure they are using fresh vanilla and not the synthetic ones! *But this is quite difficult!* Right!?

***Good News!!!...nowadays they say that there's only 300 pounds that are produced each year and when it is distributed across the globe...it is stretched thinly!***

So there's still a chance that they are in some food somewhere!!!Hmmm!

I just don't know what to think what to believe! Haaaaa!
***

### Is castoreum safe!?
###
As it is classified **SAFE**, the  FDA doesn't require companies to specifically say they're using castoreum. They can just say "natural flavoring."  

This is like adding salt to the cut...

But anyway my friends, I spent hours today reading on all these bizarre ingredients and discovered a lot more...that might shock you! 

We have things like **musk** coming from a sack in front of a deer's penis or from **vomit** puked by a whale which are used in perfumes...[Read more here!](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-musk_n_56cb6c67e4b0ec6725e36fd0)

https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/56cb7b461e000022007028d7.jpeg?cache=nGbQxNebly&ops=scalefit_720_noupscale&format=webp
**[Musk gland opened and dried!!!](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-musk_n_56cb6c67e4b0ec6725e36fd0)**

Check the below links for posts on castoreum: 

[Is there beaver anal secretion in your ice cream?](https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/12/beaver-anal-secretion-ice-cream-8887570/)

[Is Beaver Butt Really Used To Flavor Your Dessert? Here's What You Should Know.](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beaver-butt-might-be-in-your-ice-cream-heres-what-you-should-know_n_56f1a037e4b09bf44a9ed259)
[The 'natural flavoring' in vanilla foods might come from beavers](https://www.insider.com/the-natural-flavoring-in-vanilla-foods-might-come-from-beavers-2017-6)

***

Oh yes...I am actually in the same state as you right now...

I am just thinking...**How many ingredients like that are we surrounded with but we are not even aware of!?**

And...**Who is that first person who discovered all this...who was the one who first put his nose in a beaver's butt!???**

And what about the one who discovered the deer musk gland!!??? How he discovered it!?

I will be going to bed with a lot of questions in mind today...

*Ps. Sorry for putting it in your head too!*

##### By the way...do you love vanilla flavored ice cream!???

Life is beautiful...the world is wonderful!
Stay Blessed!
@progressivechef
![hive_11_.gif](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbqefoaSLacj3681H9BehpCG9wg81FwFna1auNudS2NHn/hive_11_.gif)