The real thing -- free at the Star Tribune State Fair booth.

What happens when you put lipstick on a pig?

You get Bacon Lip Balm. At least that is what it is being offered at the Star Tribune booth at the State Fair (located at Carnes Av. at the ramp to the Grandstand). It's available FREE (while supplies last). It's Mmmmm tasty!" says the label. Most fairgoers will disagree.

And, yes,the maple-flavored lip balm may be an extreme measure to add food to the State Fair menu. And I do use the term "food" loosely, but then that's also true of just about everything there for these State Fair days.

Be sure to read the warning on the label: "For external use only." Which means, of course, that you SHOULD NOT eat the lip balm. It will protect your lips, however, for more eating duty, since it has an SPF of 15.

Be assured that no pigs were hurt in the making of this lip balm.

Nor any maple trees.

So what does it taste like? Well, not like bacon (nor Baco-bits, that soy imitation of the real thing). More like very fake imitation maple.

Which reminds me of something my son said when he was about 5 years old after buying a bowling bag at a garage sale. "It's genuine vinyl!"

LEE SVITAK DEAN, Taste editor