Unfiltered Story #421688

I’m in the frozen aisle, looking at ice cream. Primarily looking at prices, of course, but also the ingredients. I’m not too fussy, I just want to make sure I know what I’m getting. Also in the aisle is a middle-aged woman. She tuts at me.

Woman> You know they put SEAWEED in that ice cream, right?

Me> Uh, no, I didn’t. It doesn’t say on the back.

Woman> They hide it! It’s called “carrageenan” or something! But it’s seaweed! (I was surprised she actually pronounced it right.)

Me> Oh, I see it here. It’s listed as an emulsifier.

Woman> Seaweed! In ice cream!

Me> Hm, looks like it’s in this one, too.

Woman> It’s a conspiracy! They’re trying to make us eat all these foreign foods! Trying to poison us! Making us eat non-American foods!

I do my best to ignore her as she continues to rant. I decide to look it up on my phone.

Me> Ma’am, I’d like to point out: eggs are expensive and some people can’t eat them. Also seaweed is edible, and so is this particular kind. Carrageenan is probably vegan or at least vegetarian, and is probably a lot cheaper in bulk. Look, it’s not even actual seaweed, it’s FROM seaweed, like milk is FROM cows or almonds. I’m not concerned. Besides, all of these contain that ingredient.

The woman looks at me, her face puckered like she swallowed an entire lemon, and then squints back at the ice cream container she’s holding. She lets out a tiny shriek before throwing the container back on the shelf and scooting out of the aisle.

I ended up getting delicious ice cream that day (with carrageenan) and a story to tell! Beware of bigots!