The Carrageenan is naturally extracted from the Irish moss by heating it slowly in the mylk. Therefore, unlike in industrial extraction, the molecules are not shortened, keeping it a safe and nutritionally beneficial substance. This should not be mistaken with Carrageenan bought as a powder/gel, which is widely used in the food industry as a gelling agent, and is industrially extracted using a process that shortens the natural carrageenan molecules. This has been linked with a number of health issues.