The inside scoop

There may be locust bean gum in your ice cream. Enjoy.

Ever wondered what goes into ice cream? Some brands are basic: milk, cream, sugar, and natural vanilla flavor (Breyers Vanilla, for instance). Others have a lick more:

Sweeteners: Most manufacturers use corn-based sweeteners to lengthen shelf life and improve firmness.

Milk products: Besides whole milk and cream, other milk products are also used, such as nonfat dry milk.

Emulsifiers and stabilizers: Emulsifiers, which enhance smoothness, include egg yolks, mono- and diglycerides, polysorbate 80, and lecithin. Stabilizers prevent ice crystals from forming during fluctuating temperatures. Common stabilizers are locust bean gum, guar gum, and carrageenan.

Flavorings: Cocoa, natural vanilla, strawberries, etc.

Consumer Reports

(c) Copyright 1999. The Christian Science Publishing Society