Southern Practice of Dirt-Eating Shows Signs of Waning (1984) (nytimes.com)

Common here in South Africa. An exclusively female habit (Not looking at you, Thabo)

A lot of pregnant women tens to eat these small lumps of dirt more regularly, or start eating it.

I think there is a biological urge to it. But who will study that now?

They might start getting into the habit, and we can't have that