why kan’t zoe write?

I remember it vividly – it was lunch time, I was in 2nd grade, when one of my table mates said that hotdogs are made from earthworms. There was the collective gasp and “eeeew!” from the rest of us. And as with all other discussions that start with a supposed urban legend, we were attempting to dismiss it by being – ahem – rational. However, the harbinger of this substantial information insisted that he (or was it she?) saw it in the news… or that his (her) mom saw it. Or that his (her) friend’s friend’s mom saw it… you get the picture.

I was unsure of what to believe. I could very well have given up on hotdogs that very day. However, I was skeptical, bordering on being in a state of denial. Whatever the reason, I continued on with hotdogs despite the disgust.

And then this: “Is the ingredient earthobate in hotdogs really earthworms?” Apparently, it isn’t “earthobate” but erythorbate.

Sodium erythorbate is an antioxidant similar to Vitamin C and made from sugar. It’s added to hot dogs, cured meats and a few other foods to preserve their flavor and color when exposed to air. It’s been around for thirty years.

The Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Illinois suggests that the rumor might have come about from the Middle English word erthe, which means "earth."

That clears things up. Hotdogs are not made from earthworms.

So any ideas on the veracity of cat meat being in siopao?

P.S. I have given up on hotdogs the past 3 years anyway. I’m currently on the lookout for veggie dogs for variety in my diet. Any tips on where to find them? Do we have them here?

~ by kabibe on October 11, 2005.