Episode 7 - Beaver Butt Juice and the FDA's Dirty Secrets

Why on Earth would anyone use beaver butt juice to flavor food? In this eye-opening and humorously bizarre episode, we uncover the strange and surprisingly pleasant world of castoreum, an extract from a beaver's castor sacs. Buckle up as we embark on a historical adventure that traces the Astor family's rise from beaver fur traders to Manhattan real estate moguls, with a few entertaining detours like John Jacob Astor's Titanic voyage. Also, discover the unexpected roles beavers play in our culture, from beloved "Winnie the Pooh" characters to the quaint Swedish schnapps known as Bäverhojt. But that's not all—we lift the veil on the FDA's shocking standards for food contamination. Prepare to be both disgusted and fascinated as we reveal the unsettling amounts of pus in milk, insect fragments in pepper, and rodent hairs in peanut butter that are deemed acceptable. We'll make you question every bite you take as we explore the hidden impurities in your favorite foods, like apple butter and tomato juice. By the end of this episode, you'll have a newfound appreciation for the complexities of food flavorings and a cautious eye towards FDA regulations.New Zonderlings WebsiteFollow us on our social media pages!Facebook Instagram Tiktok X Youtube