What is Jello Really???

Do you want to know? You will get the details and probably won't ever eat it again. So, if you are a fan, skip over this article :) http://www.organicauthority.com/foodie-buzz/are-there-pig-hooves-in-my-jell-o-where-gelatin-really-comes-from.html

Exerpt from the article:

“The raw materials used in the production of gelatin are from healthy animals and include cattle bone, cattle hides and fresh, frozen pigskins. In the North American market, these raw materials are basically sourced from government-inspected meat processing facilities.”

Read: the collagen comes from animals in slaughterhouses.

If you have the curiosity (and stomach) to learn the literal process of how gelatin is produced from animals, read on.

1)      Animal carcasses arrive at the processing plant from a nearby slaughterhouse. Rotting parts are discarded; everything else is chopped up.

2)      Animal parts are washed and degreased to get rid of as much fat as possible (yah, I don’t want floating fat in my Jell-O, thanks). Pieces are then roasted to dry out.

3)      Pieces are soaked in a strong acid solution for several days to bring out all the minerals and bacteria from the pieces, and it releases the full collagen content.

4)      Pieces are then boiled again, the gelatin is extracted, and it is flash-heated for sterilization.

5)      Gelatin now passes through machines that press it into sheets, and it is dyed, colored and given any other treatments to make it look and taste like a typical boxed food product.

My goal lately is to be an informed consumer and try to keep unnatural food items out of the mouths of my family. The part that bothers me the most is #3 "soaking in a strong acid solution for several days" doesn't sound healthy to me. I appreciate the aspect of using all of the animal and not wasting though, and that may be enough for some!

~Erin