On TikTok, a viral trend in recent days shows people angry at the famous chocolate brand Kinder. On supermarket shelves, they film themselves uncovering what appears to be one of the greatest hoaxes in history. “We have always eaten insects without realizing it”, alerts a first Internet user. “But it’s a scandal, I hallucinated when I heard that. We’ve been eating insects for a while now, did you know that? », asks a second. In question, the much appreciated Schokobons.
The mystery ingredient would be “shellac”, otherwise identifiable as shellac or E904. 20 minutes tells you more about this component.
FAKE OFF
Insects on our plates? This is what TikTok users claim in their videos. This Monday, we therefore checked on the shelves and indeed the packages of Schokobons clearly indicate the following composition: “coating agents (gum arabic, shellac)”. It is a texture agent derived from the secretions of the Asian cochineal, a small insect. It is mainly the secretions of the female that are used, explains the CNRS.
On its website, UFC Que Choisir adds that shellac resin is useful in protecting ingredients from drying out and losing flavor. Thus, it is found in many foods such as candies, chocolates or cakes. Certain fruits such as apples can also be coated with this gum, but its addition must always be indicated.
“Used for decades”
In 2018, the food watch association warned, however, of the incorrect indication made on the products concerned. For example, “on the very red and shiny Fuji apples”, the association indicates: “Nothing, in the fresh section, suggests that the apples have been coated with this insect resin”. In the same report, a dozen products were implicated by the organization for scams on the label consisting of not warning the consumer of the presence of animals in the product.
Besides, shellac is not only used in food. “Its film-forming, adhesive and plasticizing properties are attributed to the presence of compounds similar to those of certain waxes. Shellac wax is also used for mascara, lip rolls, eyeliners and glossy nail lacquers.” notes the CNRS.
Despite everything, in food, “no harmful effects have ever been reported”, recalls the UFC association that choose. On the side of the Ferrero group – to which Kinder belongs – we specify with 20 minutes “We don’t use insects in our products. We use shellac gum in the coating of Schokobons, to make them shinier. It has been a frequently used additive in food and medicine for decades. »
E120 and its risk of allergies
In one of the videos posted on TikTok, a user also questions M & M’s chocolates and the presence of E120. This carminic acid is also obtained from cochineal extracts. Its red powder actually acts as a colorant for the famous peanut chocolates, but is also used in tagada strawberries at Haribo.
But for this product, EFSA highlights the possibility of respiratory and food allergies. However, E120 remains regulatory, even if a certain dose must be respected for its consumption (5 mg/kg of body weight/day, according to EFSA).
On social networks, the potential consumption of insects without our knowledge often comes up as a subject of concern. Recently, Internet users have alerted to the recent vote by the European Commission on the marketing of house crickets. However, as the organization indicated earlier to 20 minutesfor prepackaged or non-prepackaged products containing allergens, the information must be easily visible to the consumer.