Bone char is used in the processing of some, but not all, sugar.
Many sugar refineries use bone char, also known as natural carbon, as a decolorizing filter to remove impurities and achieve the desired white color in refined sugar. The bone char is derived from animal bones. However, it's crucial to understand that the sugar itself doesn't contain any bone char. The bone char acts as a filter, similar to how a water filter works.
Here's a breakdown:
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What is Bone Char? Bone char is a granular material produced by charring animal bones.
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How is it used? It acts as a filter to decolorize sugar, removing impurities. The sugar doesn't come into direct contact with the bone char and doesn't contain any of it in the final product.
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Alternatives: Not all sugar is processed using bone char. Other methods, such as granular activated carbon or ion-exchange resins, are also used for decolorization.
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Types of Sugar Affected: While primarily used in refining cane sugar, bone char can also be used in processing other types of sugar.
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Important Note: Bone char is used as a filter, not an ingredient. The final sugar product does not contain bone char.
For individuals concerned about avoiding sugar processed with bone char (e.g., vegans or vegetarians), options include:
- Organic Sugar: Certified organic sugar is often processed without bone char.
- Beet Sugar: Beet sugar generally does not use bone char processing.
- Unrefined Sugar: Raw or unrefined sugars retain more of their natural color and may not require bone char filtration.
- Check Labels or Contact Manufacturers: The most reliable way to determine if sugar has been processed with bone char is to check product labels or contact the manufacturer directly.
In summary, while bone char is a common filtration method in the sugar industry, it's not a universal practice, and the sugar itself doesn't contain any bone char in the end product.
