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Worms in lunchmeats?

I just heard there is a certain word on the ingredients list for lunchmeats and hot dogs, etc that means earthworms. A guy I know used to date a girl who worked in a meat processing plant and she attests that earthworms are a major component in these processed foods. Is this true?

Update:

I just researched erythrobate and the site I found said the worm thing is an urban legend and that it is derived from sugar. Does anyone know if this is true?

10 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    THE PRESERVATIVE YOU ARE WONDERING ABOUT IS SODIUM ERYTHORBATE. CONTRARY TO OTHER ANSWERS, IT IS NOT MADE FROM EARTHWORMS.

    IT IS A HIGHLY CONCENTRATED FORM OF VITAMIN C, WHICH GIVES LUNCHMEATS THEIR PINK COLOR.

    USDA DEFINITION:

    SODIUM ERYTHORBATE - is the sodium salt of erythorbic acid, a highly refined food-grade chemical closely related to vitamin C, synthesized from sugar, and used as a color fixative in preparing cured meats. (Note: Erythorbate is NOT earthworms. Perhaps the spelling or pronunciation has contributed to this misconception.)

    SO, UNLESS YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT CHOLESTEROL, OR SOME OTHER ADDITIVE IN HOT DOGS, BOLOGNA, POTTED MEAT, OR OTHER COLD CUTS, ENJOY.

    Source(s): USDA WEBSITE.
  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    Erythorbate Worms

  • 1 decade ago

    I do not know about the earthworms but, I do know that snouts, ears, and other unsavory parts are used in hot dogs and bologna!

    Read your ingredients and buy only reputable products!

    My ex husband used to work in a meat plant and I haven't touched certain things since :-)

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Sorry, but yes, it is true. The word is erythrobate. They dry the worms out and pulverize them. They are loaded with protein. I never eat processed meats. Stick to the natural stuff. Save the worms for the birds, thank you.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Lots of items go into hotdogs. All the leftover junk and trash goes into it. So who knows? Might be.

  • 1 decade ago

    SORCHA

    TAPE WORM COME FROM EATING TO MUCH DUCK TAPE

    I LOVE HOT DOGS AND WHO CARE WHAT IS IN THEM

  • 1 decade ago

    I love hotdogs,please tell me that earthworms in hotdogs is not true!!!!!!!!!

  • Sorcha
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    You can get tapeworms from pig meat :]

  • 1 decade ago

    Wow, if that really is true that is disgusting.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    mmmmm! worms.

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