TikTok isn’t just useful for videos on robotic tape storage, Radiohead songs on step motors, and regretful congressmen. It’s also a place where businesses can go viral by marketing their industrial products.
Because of that, I now know that a company called Donghua Jinlong Chemical makes food-grade glycine which, as the company reminds us in its TikTok marketing video, is “suitable as a flavor enhancer, sweetener, and nutritional supplement.” Not only that, but it’s “also used in pickles, sweet sauces, soy sauce, vinegar, and juices to improve taste.” And, bonus, it’s “a well-established brand in a large factory.” If that doesn’t get you ready to get some Donghua Jinlong food-grade glycine, I’m not sure there’s anything I can do for you.
Okay, The Verge didn’t just turn into a mouthpiece for Donghua Jinlong. If you’ve seen any confusing food-grade glycine evangelizing on TikTok lately, it’s a harmless meme borne out of an industrial manufacturer of a food additive posting a marketing video that might have lingered quietly in dusty obscurity on any other platform. Here’s its origin:
@donghuajinlong Introducing Donghua Jinlong’s Food-Grade Glycine #DonghuaJinlong #glycine #glycinechina #manufacturer #FoodGradeGlycine
Thanks to TikTok’s ever-probing recommendation algorithm that occasionally tosses curve balls out to see if you’ll bite, an innocent attempt at promoting a manufacturer’s products has turned into Donghua jokes imagining the future study of internet memes:
@violadagoomba i should have kept the 60 sec limit on this one tbh #memestudies #mediastudies #englishclass #literarycriticism #donghuajinlong #industrialgradeglycine #foodgradeglycine
Mock standup routines complete with Donghua Jinlong-hating hecklers:
@realdanyang Replying to @dan yang comedian heckled for supporting high quality glycine products #heckler #standupcomedy #glycine #donghuaedit
Stitches faking creator beef and offering a surprising primer on the companies involved in glycine manufacture:
@citiesbydiana Let’s clear up some MYTHS about Donghua Jinlong and their “competitors”….@Macey your move bestie…. Since 1979, Donghua Jinlong has been providing the highest quality food grade, industrial grade and pharmaceutical grade glycine. Unlock 2024s BEST glycine supplier: DONGHUA JINLONG #donghuajinlong #glycine #brainrot #bestglycine #brainnourishment #industrialglycine #glycinetok #donghuajinlongtok #industrialglycine #satire
An AI voice clone of celebrity astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson discussing Donghua Jinlong’s work:
@gangstasportivik Do you know what industrial-grade glycine is used for? #glycine #neildegrassetyson #electroplating
♬ Do You Know What Industrial Glycine is Used For – Гангста Спортивик
Faux wellness videos:
@citiesbydiana Replying to @_blankinfinity_ This is why I use Donghua Jinlong Food Grade Glycine as my Glycine supplier. Premium Quality since 1979 and a trusted source factor. Unlock Donghua Jinlong in 2024. #donghuajinlong #foodgradeglycine #glycine #brainrot #glycinetok #industrialglycine
And, of course, videos explaining the meme:
@saxxie.dev Replying to @Ryan [BigBassoon] #donghuajinlong #glycine