Seal oil on menu at Alaska care home
Ingredient a staple in Inupiat diet, used mainly for sauces By MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press
Published: February 20, 2021, 6:00am
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9 Photos Alex Whiting, left, and Cyrus Harris, right, are observed by Chris Sannito, second from left, and Brian Himelbloom, third from left, of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center on Oct. 28, 2016, as they trim and clean seal blubber in Kotzebue, Alaska. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at a Maniilaq elder care home, believed to be a first for seal oil in the U.S. (Maniilaq Association)
Maniilaq Association
In January, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at the Maniilaq elder care home. Previous Next
Thursday, February 18, 2021 1:00 am
Seal oil gets OK for Alaska elders
Traditional food was not allowed in care facilities
MARK THIESSEN | Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Seal oil has been a staple in the diet of Alaska s Inupiat for generations.
The oil – ever-present in households dotting Alaska coastlines – is used mainly as a dipping sauce for fish, caribou and musk ox. It s also used to flavor stews and even eaten alone.
But when Inupiat elders entered nursing homes, they were cut off from the comfort food. State regulations didn t allow seal oil because it s among traditionally prepared Alaska Native foods that have been associated with the state s high rate of botulism, which can cause illness or death.
Seal oil has been a staple in the diet of Alaska’s Inupiat for generations. The oil ever-present in households dotting Alaska coastlines is used mainly as a dipping sauce for fish, caribou and musk ox. It's also used to flavor stews and even eaten alone. But when Inupiat elders entered nursing homes, they…
Cultural big deal : Seal oil makes menu at Alaska care home apnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from apnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Cultural big deal : Seal oil makes menu at Alaska care accesswdun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from accesswdun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.