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TikTokers are just learning what some vanilla flavoring is made of — and it's gross

Where does vanilla flavoring come from?. In a video posted on Nov. 7, Sloowmoee recorded himself looking the question up in real time. “NO MORE VANILLA,” Sloowmoee screamed as he started to gag a little. “THAT IS — AHHHHHH”. What Sloowmoee learned with his quick Google search is that some vanilla flavoring is made from a flavorant called castoreum. This is a waxy substance secreted by beavers via their castor sacs (located near the base of the tail). Per the Dictionary of Flavors, it “can be used as a modifier in vanilla flavors”. The last thing anybody wants to learn is that one of their favorite flavorings comes from a beaver’s butt. However, according to National Geographic, “milking” a beaver for the substance is an expensive and cumbersome process. Thankfully, most vanilla flavoring today is made from vanilla pods or synthetic vanillin. Unfortunately, It’s hard to know which products today contain castoreum. Since the FDA regards the substance as a natural flavoring, companies don’t actually have to disclose it on the ingredient list