Beware of hidden pork: the unexpected foods where it appears without you even realizing it
Many people choose to avoid pork, for religious or ethical reasons, or simply for taste. But what we often don't know is that pork can sneak into our dishes without us even noticing. From gelatine to "disguised" charcuterie and restaurant recipes, here's a roundup of preparations where pork is hiding.
In some restaurants: stuffing and surprise mixes
- Dumplings and spring rolls: even when advertised as "chicken" or "shrimp", the filling may also contain minced pork, to add texture and flavor.
- Steamed ravioli (dim sum): often based on a pork + shrimp mix, unless you specifically request another version.
- Dumplings or skewers in Asian restaurants: sometimes made with pork, even if the name suggests another meat.
- Sauces and broths: some cooking stocks or brown sauces used in Asian or traditional restaurants may be prepared with pork bones or fat.
In industrial products: when pork hides in the ingredients
Gelatin: the great classic
Often derived from pork rind or bones, gelatin is found in :
- Candies and jelly confectionery (teddy bears, jelly beans, marshmallows, etc.).
- Dairy desserts (flans, mousses, entremets).
- Industrial cake toppings.
- Low-fat or "light" yoghurts, where it is used as a thickener.
Other common preparations
- "Disguised" charcuterie: some rillettes, sausages, pâtés or terrines are labelled "poultry" or "duck" but may contain pork.
- Soups in brick or sachet form: bouillon cubes or dehydrated bases sometimes use pork extracts.
- Prepared dishes: lasagne, shepherd's pie, cannelloni... where a mixture of meats is used, but pork is not always the main ingredient.
- Sauces and binders: pork fat or broth can be used in certain ready-made sauces.
- Viennoiseries and industrial pastries: some fillings and glazes contain porcine gelatin.
Other ingredients to watch out for
- Additives :
- E441 = gelatin (often porcine).
- E542 = bone phosphate (from bone).
- Animal fats or natural flavors, sometimes of pork origin.
- "Light" products: to compensate for the texture lost when fat is removed, pork gelatin is sometimes added.
Possible alternatives
Good news: there are ways to avoid hidden pork!
- For gelatin: opt for agar-agar, fruit pectin or fish gelatin.
- For Asian dishes: ask explicitly for chicken, beef or vegetarian versions.
- For sweets: some brands offer "animal gelatin-free" ranges, based on pectin.
- For homemade dishes: opt for vegetable, turkey or poultry broths to replace industrial cubes.
In a nutshell
Pork can be found in many more preparations than you might think: egg rolls, ravioli, sauces, sweets, industrial desserts, ready-made meals, cold meats... If you want to avoid it, adopt two simple reflexes: read labels and ask questions at the restaurant. And if you want to cook without surprises, there's nothing like homemade food using ingredients you're familiar with.
Adèle Peyches
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