Did you know Chochineal and Carmine Red Food Coloring (in lots of foods) come from ground up beetles?

The New Intimacy

Did you know Chochineal and Carmine Red Food Coloring (in lots of foods) come from ground up beetles?

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Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
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When I heard this, I did not believe it, but it is true. So many foods that are RED or PINK are colored with crushed beetles.

I was really ooged out when I heard this.

Did you know about this? Does anyone else find it more then a little....disturbing?? ??
12/02/2011
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Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I knew this, but only because I used to be vegan.
12/02/2011
Contributor: Ghost Ghost
I knew this as well. If you knew where most ingredients come from, you would be highly surprised.
12/03/2011
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
Yep.

I do a fair amount of sewing and dyeing and have done research on historical dyes. There are way more horrifying ones out there, like pee (I don't know about the usage in modern times). Toxic mordants, lots of fun.

I do wonder how widespread the use of chocineal in food is, it doesn't seem particularly cost-effective to me. As a dye it's really freaking expensive. You can buy it here. Compare the $26.89 per 2oz to the cost of even just the other natural dyes.

I know food safety is an issue, but I can't believe it's the most economic route.


And, I dunno, there are are grosser things out there, like how much fecal matter can be present per given weight of something. And many cultures eat insects and think we're weird for thinking it's weird. As long as I can't feel them wiggling, I'm fine.
12/03/2011
Contributor: Coralbell Coralbell
I knew that, and it doesn't really bother me. I learned about it when I was doing a school project on fabric dyes.
12/03/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
Think about gelatin, jello, etc. there are a lot of 'outside' sources for some of the foods we like. I try not to think of things if I like the food.Bugs gross me out, but some people love the worm in tequila, so I am just rambling here, sorry.
12/03/2011
Contributor: voenne voenne
That is gross to think about, but bugs are a delicacy some places so I know it is edible and not completely surprising. Makes me want to be even more conscious of what's in the food I eat, though.
12/04/2011
Contributor: alliegator alliegator
It strangely doesn't gross me out because the beetles are supposed to be there. What does gross me out is hearing about the acceptable levels of stray bugs and fecal matter allowed in processed foods because those bugs aren't supposed to be there.
12/05/2011
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
I knew about it, and not bothered at all by it.
12/06/2011
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
Mmmmmmm, beetle juice! Lmao
So be it. I'm not too worried.
12/06/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
That's one of those things that I think I heard a long time ago and forgot about, but it doesn't bother me. Considering how many bug parts are allowed in food to begin with, there are much worse things I'm ingesting on a regular basis I'm sure.
12/06/2011