In case you need any additional motivation to avoid getting bitten by the ticks that cause alpha-gal syndrome: what is commonly known as a meat allergy actually spans a wide range of mammal-derived products, including meat but also related products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. I was surprised to learn that white sugar can also trigger the reaction. Why? It is often processed with bone char. As in, animal bones that have been converted into a form of charcoal.
What Is Bone Char in Sugar? – Chef’s Resource
Bone char is a porous, carbon-rich material created by heating animal bones—typically bovine—to extremely high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment. In the sugar industry, this substance serves as a powerful decolorizing filter, effectively bleaching raw sugar cane juice by adsorbing pigments and impurities as the liquid passes through it.
So no bacon, no milk, no eggs, and no sugar? Sad face! (I mean, yes, processed sugar is not great for you, but have you see the recipes on this site? Sugar tasty nom nom!)
The good news is that vegan sugar doesn’t use bone char and some firms like Lantic steer clear of it altogether. But this is the sort of question you may need to ask if a Lone Star tick gets its pesky little mandibles in you.
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