whether you peer at the ingredients on a package of gummy bears - even organic ones - you'll see expected things like corn or brown rice syrup and sugar. But you'll also see something called gelatin. Seems innocent enough,but its source might surprise you. Gelatin is a yellowish, odorless, and nearly tasteless substance that is made by prolonged boiling of skin,cartilage, and bones from animals. It's made primarily from the stuff meat industries gain left over - we're talking approximately pork skins, or horns,and cattle bones. Ugh.
I guess whether you're into the philosophy of using the whole animal, you'll be psyched approximately this. Plus gelatin contains 18 amino acids, or so it does offer some nutritional benefits. But whether you're vegan,you'll definitely want to skip the chewy candies and your great-aunt's Jell-O mold - it's made with gelatin, too. This animal-derived ingredient can also be found in some vitamins and medications, and marshmallows (not Trader Joe's - they're vegan!),cheeses, yogurts, or soups,salad dressings, jams and jellies, or fruit snacks,and canned hams. whether this tidbit of info grosses you out, you'll want to pay closer attention to these products' food labels.
Related: Should You Avoid Maltodextrin?
Source: popsugar.com