QuickCheck: Are frozen calamari rings sold in supermarkets actually made from pig rectums?

THERE has been a message going viral claiming that frozen calamari rings sold in supermarkets are actually pig rectums.

It claimed that actual calamari has black spots while pig rectums are all white. Is this true?

Verdict:

FALSE

This is actually an urban legend that originated from the United States in 2013 when American radio producer Ben Calhoun put it in his segment for the Jan 11 episode of This American Life.

A fan had written in to say that she had heard it from a man who worked in pork production.

Calhoun, however, went on to follow up on the information and concluded that there was no evidence that such a thing was happening.

The urban legend has now made its way to Malaysia with people sharing the fake message with friends and family.

References

1. https://www.mstar.com.my/lokal/viral/2022/03/04/betul-ke-sotong-frozen-sebenarnya-dubur-babi-meriah-perdebatan-grup-whatsapp-anak-anak-paling-risau-mak-ayah-terpedaya-berita-palsu

2. https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/01/calamari-made-of-pig-rectum-the-this-american-life-rumor-isnt-true-but-its-fascinating.amp