People left reeling as the making of crabsticks reveals a process that may taint your festive appetite forever

As the festive season approaches and party trays adorned with glittery delights emerge, a shocking video revealing the production process of crabsticks has left viewers unable to look at the childhood favourite in the same way again.

The disturbing footage, shared on YouTube by Food Kingdom, takes a deep dive into the making of crabsticks, unraveling a process that may shatter your fond memories of this beloved seafood snack.

Contrary to popular belief, the video showcases that crabsticks are not crafted from actual crabs, but rather from grey meat, predominantly sourced from a species known as Alaskan pollock. The process begins with the fish being hauled from the sea, culled, and then subjected to a series of mechanical transformations.

The fish is mashed up in a mixer along with ingredients such as egg whites and wheat, creating a paste-like substance. This goo is then fed into a machine, forming a single long strip of material that is spun together to mimic the texture of crab or lobster meat. Some portions are sold as surimi or substitute crab meat, while others are coated in the familiar orange casing associated with crab or lobster before being marketed as crab sticks.

Viewer reactions to this revelation have been mixed, with some expressing shock and vowing never to purchase the product again. One YouTube user commented, “I will never purchase this ever again! Thank you for opening my eyes!” Another exclaimed, “I always thought this stuff was disgusting, now I KNOW it is.”

However, not everyone was deterred, with some defending the affordability and taste of the product. One viewer mentioned, “To be perfectly honest, I like the product. It’s very affordable and makes a very good cold crab salad.”

The shocking exposé has sparked a debate on social media about the ethical and culinary implications of the popular seafood substitute, leaving many reevaluating their holiday snack choices.