According to the paper, some of the oddball ingredients are used as preservatives, while others enhance texture and flavor.
The most disturbing ingredient, castoreum, is derived from the secretions of glands found near the anus of beavers. Listed as a “natural flavoring” in vanilla-, raspberry-, and strawberry-flavored drinks and baked goods, the aromatic substance helps beavers attract mates.
Slightly less weird, but still icky, is the use of L-Custeine derived from human hair in bread products. This is common practice in the United States, but is banned in Europe—where hog hair and duck feathers are often used instead, says The Sun. The tabloid also reports that dried, crushed cochineal beetles are used to produce red food coloring, which is often listed on packaging as carmine, E120, and natural red 4.