Beef jerky has become a popular snack for many people looking for a tasty, protein-packed treat. However, inside each package there is usually a small packet labeled “do not eat”. This mysterious packet can raise questions for jerky lovers – what is it, why is it there, and what would happen if you actually ate it?
In this article. we’ll take a comprehensive look at the “do not eat” packet. including
- What’s inside the packet
- Why it’s added to beef jerky
- The possible health consequences of eating it
- How to properly dispose of the packet
- FAQs about the mysterious packet
Let’s dive in and get the facts on this beef jerky puzzle piece!
What’s Inside the “Do Not Eat” Packet in Beef Jerky?
Upon opening a beef jerky package, you’ll typically find a tiny sachet containing a few grams of silica gel beads. Silica gel is a desiccant – meaning it absorbs moisture very effectively. The substance is made from silicon dioxide and completely inert and non-toxic.
The silica gel beads soak up any humidity inside the jerky package via a chemical reaction. This helps maintain the shelf life and freshness of the jerky by preventing moisture and oxygen from enabling bacterial growth.
So in essence, the seemingly suspicious “do not eat” packet contains an innocuous desiccant that keeps your jerky free of spoilage.
Why Is the Silica Gel Packet Added to Beef Jerky?
Jerky producers include the silica gel packet for an important reason – food safety. Moisture is the enemy of shelf-stable foods like jerky. Even a small amount of humidity in the packaging can allow mold, bacteria, and other microbes to grow.
This leads to faster spoilage and poses health risks if contaminated jerky is consumed. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains.
The “do not eat” packet absorbs ambient moisture and keeps the jerky dry. This allows it to remain fresh for many months without refrigeration. So while the silica gel itself is harmless, removing it could compromise the jerky’s safety and quality.
What Happens If You Eat the Silica Gel Packet?
While silica gel beads are chemically non-toxic, ingesting them can still have adverse health effects including
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Dehydration – Silica gel rapidly absorbs fluids, which can cause dry mouth, throat, and internal tissues.
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Constipation – The desiccant can soak up moisture from digestive contents, resulting in constipation.
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Blockage – Large amounts could clump together and obstruct intestines.
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Choking risk – The beads pose a major choking hazard, especially for kids.
So while a small accidental swallow of a few beads may cause only minor stomach upset in healthy adults, the packets should never be intentionally eaten.
How to Properly Dispose of the Silica Gel Packets
When you’ve finished your jerky, make sure to properly dispose of the “do not eat” packet. Follow these tips:
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Discard unopened packets in your regular household trash.
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If the packet has opened, first seal it tightly in a plastic bag.
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Keep packets away from children and pets before throwing away.
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Do NOT attempt to recycle used silica gel packets, as they contain mixed non-recyclable materials.
Proper disposal helps protect the health and safety of you, your family, and the environment.
FAQs About Silica Gel Packets
Are the packets ever toxic?
No – food-grade silica gel is non-toxic. However, colored packets containing cobalt chloride as an indicator should never be ingested.
Can I cook with the silica gel?
Absolutely not – the contents are not meant to be eaten under any circumstances.
What if my pet eats a packet?
Contact your veterinarian, as the silica gel could potentially cause obstruction or dehydration if ingested by pets.
Are the beads biodegradable?
Unfortunately, no – most silica gel packets are made of non-biodegradable plastic.
Can I reuse the packets?
Yes! You can safely reuse silica gel packets to keep valuables dry by storing them together.
The Verdict: Don’t Eat the Packet!
While it may seem mysterious, the “do not eat” packet in beef jerky plays an important role in food safety. Consuming the silica gel desiccant can be hazardous, so be sure to discard it properly after enjoying your jerky. With the facts in hand, you can snack confidently on delicious jerky without curiosity about the intriguing little moisture absorber sachet.
How Do the Silica Gel Packets in Beef Jerky Work?
If you opened one of the white packets, you’d likely find a few dozen clear gel beads containing silica gel, a desiccant formed from silica and water.
If you’ve ever dropped your phone in the sink, you might have used rice, a natural desiccant, to absorb the water trapped in the device’s cracks and crevices.
Silica packets perform this task superbly.
Silica gel is excellent at maintaining a level of dryness. If the air surrounding a silica gel packet becomes too dry, the packet releases moisture back into the air. This action makes silica packets the ideal solution for keeping beef jerky fresh over long distances and time periods.
What Happens if You Eat the Packet in Beef Jerky?
If curiosity gets the better of you (please don’t let it) or you accidentally eat silica gel, watch for symptoms like stomach ache, vomiting, nausea and constipation.
If you vomit repeatedly or can’t hold down food, seek immediate medical attention.
If the packet contains pink or blue silica gel beads, there’s a much higher risk of danger. These silica gel beads are treated in cobalt chloride, which is toxic when eaten.
Manufacturers should never package beef jerky or any food product with silica gel packets containing pink or blue beads, so please be vigilant, and don’t eat beef jerky that’s packaged incorrectly.