Related to the dangerous foods topic, how does Mad Cow Disease affect these things, if at all?: <BR> Cheese/Milk/Dairy <BR> Sausage <BR> Gummi Bears/gelatin products <BR> <BR>(This is an honest question!)

...none of these is affected. <BR> <BR>To the best of my knowledge, Gummi Bears, Cool Whip and Velveeta are 100% petroleum. <BR> <BR>

Velveeta is not 100% petroleum - it just takes like it. It really has cheese in it - hidden somewhere....

topping... <BR>I said this was an honest question, and it is! Does anyone out there know the answer to this? I have an inquiring mind. (The Gummi Bears part was to attract your attention...but my kids *are* hoping to bring back lots of them for their classmates in the US.) <BR> <BR>Thanks!

The raw material for gelatin is the naturally occurring protein, collagen, which is commercially sourced from meat and leather industries. <BR>Gotta love those gummi bears.

The sheep in Vermont that are being destroyed are used to produce milk and cheese, not eaten - MCD has never been reported in sheep nor has it ever been found in their milk or cheese products (from what I've read - which is limited). The destroying of the sheep is - I think - an over reaction. As for MCD in cow's milk & cheese - I don't know - anybody? <BR>As for gelatin - horse hooves are also used to produce this wonderful - umm - substance. What would the world be like without jello? <BR>Your children probably have a greater chance of being hit by a car than contracting MCD.

An added benefit to gummi bears is that they contain sorbitol, a vigorous laxative.

Wondering - I have to ask... why are your kids hauling gummi bears home to the US? Can you not get them where you are? (I promise - I'm not being sarcastic....)

I have in front of me as I write a package of Haribo "gummi bears" that I recently brought back (smuggled back?) from Switzerland. Let the record show that the proper name for these critters is "Goldbaren" (the "a" has an umlaut - I don't know how to do that) in German or "Oursons d'Or" in French. The package also indicates that "Haribo macht kinder froh" and "Haribo c'est bon, c'est bonbon."

You're right...we can get them here, too. But, thought it would be fun to bring back some with German packaging, the "authentic" ones. <BR> <BR>Still wondering, tho...my original question. What about MCD in things like this, or dairy products, or sausage? Are these things considered "safe"? (Is anything "safe" anymore?!)

To Bear-- <BR> <BR>I like you and your Oursons d'Or, and just wanted to share with you that last time I was on the continent I made up a little tune that goes with "Haribo, c'est bon". I still sing it sometimes. You should make up your own little tune. <BR>I also say the word "sparkasse" whenever I'm irritated. (I think it's a name of a bank). Have a nice day.

I read something a while back on mad-cow.org and it had to do with german gummi bears and that the company that made them would continue to use bovine derived gelatin because according to them it was safe. There was also something about some candy called Mambo that also uses gelatin and how for one certain country they would reformulate the receipe because that country would not allow their candy to be sold otherwise. Once you start reading the ingredients list on packages you'll realize that gelatin is in a lot of food. As for the milk, there was a study that found it to be safe from containing BSE's, but there were some complaints that the study wasn't done right so they are doing another study but it won't be done for another 3 years or so. Definitely stay away from sausage with ground beef in it. These are honest answers based on what I have read on various internet sites. Good luck.

Are you kidding? Don't waste your time with gummi bears. Bring home Kinder Suprise. <BR> <BR>Also, Gummi bears contain carnuba wax.

Now that's a great idea! Are those the little chocolates with some sort of toy inside? A friend who is a flight attendant on international flights once brought some back. Those would be great. Are they unique to Germany, or all over the Germany speaking areas? We'll also be in Switzerland and Austria. I'm assuming they're easy to find?

About Kinder Surprise, just wondering aren't they widely available in the states as well? Here in Canada they are along side the other chocolates even in places like 7 Eleven. <BR> <BR>I would bring back mustard from Germany.

While recently in Frankfurt, I brought back two jars of mixed pickles... yummy!

Lidija: where do you live that Kinder Surprise is sold in 7-11? They are banned in the US due to the fact that there is a non food item enclosed in food. A choking hazard for the sue crazy US.

I live in Vancouver Canada, but I grew up in Winnipeg Canada (smaller to mid size sort of city) and when I was a child when my mother would go grocery shopping would always buy me one for a treat. I have seen Kinder surprise that aren't the egg shape with a toy in it they are more like Kit Kat. I prefer those because its more substantial pieces of chocolate that your eating.

Lynn... Kinder Eggs are not banned here in the US. I just bought a box of them for Easter to give out in the office. I purchase them at Fairway here in NYC.

I have NEVER seen Kinder Suprise in the United States--we had a similar type candy from Japan manymany years ago, with a "prize" in the box, but that was banned as a choking hazard. Same with Cracker Jacks! <BR> <BR>Kinder Suprise is all over Europe. In Italy it was called "Kinder Sopressa." At Christmas, they sell an extra huge hollow chocolate egg that can double as a deluxe ornament! Kinder Suprise is my niece's favorite. If they don't sell it in your state, well, bring it home from Europe! Kinder also has a bunch of other candy products that you can bring home, not just the eggs. My German friend also used to bring us a HUGE "Milka" gift box full of about 50 pieces of chocolate, different flavors and fillings.