This can't be true...right?

Question

I was researching the ingredient of bread and found this... is it really true?
" l-cysteine, our research indicates that the source of cysteine is human hair. Cysteine is an amino acid needed by humans, which can be produced by the human body. A very small quantity is used in less than 5% of all bread products. Often the hair of third world women is used. "

Answer 1

Dietary Sources
Cysteine can be found in red peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli, brussel sprouts, oats, and wheat germ. However, it is not an essential amino acid, and can be synthesized by the human body if a sufficient quantity of methionine is available.


Production
It is interesting to note that currently the cheapest source of material from which food grade L-cysteine may be purified in high yield is by hydrolysis of molecules in human hair. Other sources include feathers and pig bristles. The companies producing cysteine by hydrolysis are located mainly in China. Some debate whether or not consuming L-cysteine derived from human hair is cannibalism. Although many other amino acids were accessible via fermentation for some years, L-Cysteine was unavailable until 2001 when a German company introduced a production route via fermentation (non-human, non-animal origin.)

A source of bonded cysteine (cystine) is undenatured bovine whey protein; this is the same form as that in human breast milk.

Answer 2

While there are some elements of truth to what you found, the human hair in bread is NOT one of those elements.

Cysteine can be found in red peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli, brussel sprouts, oats, and wheat germ. However, it is not an essential amino acid.

Yes, right now the cheapest source to synthesize Cysteine is found in human hair, pig bristles, and feathers. However, per WikiPedia:
L-Cysteine was unavailable until 2001 when a German company introduced a production route via fermentation (non-human, non-animal origin.) So see? No worries that you're consuming human products ;)

Answer 3

I went to 'ask.com' and did some research. I did not find anything that mentioned this, in relation to bread. L-Cysteine is an amino acid that we need and produce in our bodies and it is derived from hair. Foods that produce this acid are beets, alcohol, asparagas, chocolate, milk, and meats.

No where did I find ANYTHING indicating that it is used as mentioned above.

Answer 4

It doesn't make sense to me. Any human product would be expensive to get. I'd do some more homework. Was that really on the package?

Answer 5

Sounds to me like a lot of other untrue rumors. I remember when it was being reported that there was asbestos in tampons - not true. Try going to www.truthorfiction.com and see if it's listed there.

Answer 6

WOW....hope not....but I will be trying to check that out...

Answer 7

i highly doubt it
what is your source?

Answer 8

ewww. i hope not....

Answer 9

:(((((