Think you know what’s in the food you put in your mouth? Would it surprise you to know that human hair, sawdust, even — take a deep breath for this one — beaver anal gland secretions might be on your plate?

It will take a strong stomach to swallow what you are about to read, so proceed with caution. Entries were culled from around the web, including such sources as ABC News, the Los Angeles Times, WebMD, and PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Bon appetit.

1. Sawdust Cereal

Let’s start with sawdust. You’ve seen it disguised as something else on myriad labels: cellulose. But don’t be fooled. Cellulose is usually made from “wood pulp” — saw dust — and is used as a filler in many items and for many reasons. You’ll find it in ice cream, cheese, even salad dressing.

As you might have guessed, it’s cheap. But shredded wood is not all bad. It adds few calories and is very fibrous, which is why it’s added in great amounts in high-fiber items including cereals and snacks. If you want to avoid snacking on sawdust, check your foods for microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose gel, cellulose gum, and carboxymethyl cellulose.

2. Duck Feather Bread

If you eat processed bread (who doesn’t?) you have had some feathers to go along with it. That’s because one common ingredient — L-cysteine — is made from the feathers of our quacking friends. If that disturbs you, you’ll be happy to know L-cysteine isn’t made only from feathers. It’s also made from human hair. Seriously.

Why use it at all? Its main purpose is dough softening. So you’ll likely find it bread, cookies, pies, bagels, even pizza crust. There’s an easy way to duck L-cysteine, though — just choose Kosher products. Or bake your own.

3. Beaver Juice Ice Cream

No. 3 is particularly disturbing, so if you’re queasy, skip to No. 4. Someone figured out that beaver butt gland secretions have a pleasant smell — akin to vanilla. So naturally, or very unnaturally, it has been acquired as one of the “natural” flavors that appear in many foods. Just look for “castoreum,” or stay away from “natural” flavorings.

Since this information has been brought to light, it’s difficult to find castoreum listed on labels. Some ice cream makers have made clear they do not use it, or at least, have said only natural vanilla goes into their product. Best to avoid any and all “natural flavors” foods. You’ll be glad you did.

4. Old Bones in Your Jello

It might sound like a bad Halloween ploy, but gelatin is made from boiling bones (animal, not human), and animal skin and tendons — there’s no getting around it. But what you may not know is just how many products contain gelatin. Cream cheese, marshmallows, any “gummy” products, ice cream, dips, the list goes on.

But this is one ingredient you may not want to avoid — there’s substantial evidence gelatin heals your gut by restoring healthy mucosal lining in your stomach; it contains essential amino acids for the production of collagen for radiant skin; and it protects your joints and builds strong bones. Gross and good for you at once. If it’s meat you want to avoid, try fish gelatin. Grosser still.

5. Ground Bugs Red Wine

Yes, there are probably ground bugs in your red wine. Cochineal bugs. They are used to create that luxurious red pigment, and it can also be found in red velvet cakes, yogurt, makeup, ice cream, anywhere the perfect red color is a necessity. The good news is, aside from being pretty gross, the pigment is harmless.

Starbucks announced in 2012 that it will no longer use the extract, and the FDA has proclaimed food labels must list it or “carmine” on labels. Due to its prevalence, avoiding it will be difficult. Read those labels!

6. Beetlejuice Candy

If you’ve ever wondered about the waxy coating on your fruit and vegetables, candies, pills, even coffee beans, wonder no more. Mostly the shiny shellac that glistens in the store case or on shelves comes from secretions from the “lac” bug. The tiny red bug gives us “shellac,” and it’s derived from females only, living in the forests of India and Thailand. It’s used as a brushed-on colorant, wood finish, and food glaze.

7. Fishy Beer

If you love beer, you’ll probably hate this. There’s something fishy in your brew: Fish bladders. Yes, fish bladders. They are widely used in the beer-brewing process in the form of collagen. It’s called “isinglass,” and during the brewing process, it clumps with the beer's yeast, then it sinks to the bottom of vats, allowing for a clearer brew. But it’s not impossible to avoid fishy beer.

The next time you’re at your favorite haunt, just ask for vegan beer instead. You won’t get heckled — there are many. And they’re popular. Think Budweiser and Carlsberg — Anheuser-Busch products. Visit the PETA website for a more comprehensive list.

8. Sheep Gum

If you’re chewing gum, you are getting more than you bargained for. Check the label for lanolin — it’s a greasy secretion from sheep’s wool. It comes from sheep sebaceous glands — just like those found in human skin. Someone figured out that if you combine it with gum, it produces a slippery mouth feel.

It’s also used widely in the cosmetics industry and in some topical creams including nipple cream, which provides relief for breastfeeding moms from dry nipples. If you want to avoid it, check labels, but be on the lookout for something called “gum base,” which can also be lanolin disguised.

9. Your Chicken on Drugs

The people at Johns Hopkins University tested chicken feathers from multiple suppliers a few years ago, and what they found is astonishing — not just banned antibiotics, but also antidepressants, allergy meds, arsenic (?), caffeine, and other over-the-counter meds and prescriptions. But there’s an easy way to avoid this ugly laundry list of chicken additives: Buy organic. Organic restrictions forbid the use of every item in this list in chicken feed.

10. Seaweed Pudding

Carrageenan — a sticky substance derived from seaweed — is most likely used in your favorite pudding, as well as in your ice cream, shakes, gravies, even infant formula. It provides that velvety-slick tongue-feel in milkshakes. It also keeps ingredients in these items bound together and more palatable after it leaves the shelf. Though some studies have linked it to health problems, it is generally well tolerated by most. Check the labels if you want to avoid.

If you’ve made it to this paragraph, congratulations — you’ve got a strong stomach. Just keep in mind that it pays to know what you are eating, and just as important, you have control over your choices. Choose wisely.