The claim
A message circulating on social media claims that human fetal cells are used in a variety of foods, drinks and other products, including brands such as Pepsi, Nestlé and Cadbury, and that this can be equated to cannibalism and satanic rituals.
Our conclusion
This claim is misleading. While human cell lines are indeed used in the research and development of flavor enhancers, these cells do not go directly into the products consumed, meaning consumers are not ingesting human cells.
There is currently a message on WhatsApp and especially on Telegram that claims human fetal cells are used in a range of foods and drinks, including popular products from major companies such as Pepsi, Nestlé and Cadbury. The message, which is being shared across WhatsApp and other social media platforms, further claims that the use of these cells is linked to “cannibalism” and “satanic rituals.” This topic was already circulating in 2017 and is now, for whatever reason, making the rounds again!
Human body parts as food additives?
The list of products allegedly affected is impressive and ranges from drinks and confectionery to cosmetic products and vaccines.
But what is really behind these alarming claims? We did the fact check.
Are human cells found in food and drinks?
The key to clarifying this claim lies in HEK-293 (Human Embryonic Kidney) cells. These kidney cells came from a fetus aborted in the Netherlands in the 1970s and have been grown in the laboratory ever since. They were developed by the company Senomyx to provide a quick and easy method for developing flavor enhancers. If you like it scientifically, you can read an English-language treatise on the topic here.
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These cells do not get directly into food or drinks. Instead, they are used in the laboratory to test and develop taste receptors, which can then be used to create flavor enhancers. These flavor enhancers can then be used in foods and drinks.
What does this mean for consumers?
While it is true that these HEK-293 cells originally came from a human fetus, it is incorrect to claim that the cells themselves are found in foods and drinks . They are used in the laboratory to develop flavor enhancers, but they do not go directly into the products we consume. Furthermore, these cells come from a single fetus in the 1970s, rather than from a source of human embryonic cells that is constantly being renewed or expanded.
Therefore, the alarming claims about “cannibalism” and “satanic rituals” are inaccurate. There are no human cells contained in the products listed. Consumers can be assured that they are not consuming human cells when consuming these products.
It should also be noted that the claims made in this report are grossly exaggerated and misleading . While it is true that the development of flavor enhancers is a complex scientific process that requires a variety of techniques and materials, including cell lines, it is incorrect and misleading to equate this with direct ingestion of human cells.
Conclusion: So it is misleading to claim that human embryonic cells are used in food and drinks. Although human cell lines are used in the research and development of flavor enhancers, these cells do not directly enter the foods and drinks we consume. So there is no reason to panic or boycott the listed products due to these false claims.
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