Would you eat a food if you knew it
was specifically made with insects as an ingredient? Most people would not, yet
the FDA has approved crushed insects for use as a food coloring and allows
companies to hide that fact. As this is becoming more known, various groups are
sending out emails to get people to write the FDA demanding a full disclosure
label requirement indicating the hidden use of insects in your food. Boycott
Watch has confirmed the facts in this consumer action.
Carmine and cochineal extracts are used to create
vibrant red food coloring and are actually the dried and crushed bodies of the
female cochineal insect. Sound tasty? Not to us, yet this food coloring only
has to be listed as k-carmine on labels, and most people have no clue as to
what they are eating.
There are other red food
colorings available that are not made from crushed bugs, such as red dye #40
which is a coal extract, yet carmine is preferred by some manufacturers because
the vibrant level of red it produces can not be found inexpensively anywhere
else.
The movement to get the FDA to require
companies using carmine to state that carmine is in fact insects in gaining
traction, but has garnered some resistance from food manufacturers. While the
FDA is more concerned with allergic reactions, other concerns by anti-carmine
activists include vegetarian and kosher concerns. Boycott Watch wants consumers
to know what they may potentially be eating so you, the consumer, can make up
your own mind.
If you would like to voice your
opinion or want more information about the FDA and pending carmine regulations,
visit http://www.fda.gov and search on the word 'carmine.' |
| |
|
|
| Advertisement: |
 |
|
|
