Starbucks to stop using 'crushed bug' dye

[dannibear]

NEW YORK -Starbucks Corp. says it will stop using a red dye in its drinks that is derived from crushed bugs.The Seattle-based coffee chain said in a blog post on its website Thursday that it made the decision to reformulate its drinks after feedback from consumers prompted a "thorough" evaluation.

The company says it will swap out cochineal extract, which is made from the juice of a tiny beetle, and instead use <nobr>lycopene</nobr>, a tomato-based extract.

Cochineal dye is widely used in foods and <nobr>cosmetics products</nobr> such as lipstick, yogurt and shampoo. Starbucks had used the coloring in its strawberry flavored mixed drinks and foods like the raspberry swirl cake and red velvet whoopie pie. The company says the items will be reformulated by the end of June.

An online petition on Change.org asking the chain to stop using the bug-based dye had collected more than 6,000 signatures. The petition was started by a South Carolina woman who wanted to inform consumers that the chain's strawberry drinks weren't vegan-friendly.

 

[Fraction]

At first I was all like:

:hands:

Lady Bugs!!!

Then I seen what it looked like, so now I'm all like:

:sad-animated:

Please don't grow to the size of a truck in a freak nuclear accident and eat me.

Emotes are accurate by a 100%.

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I actually have never had coffee from starbucks. I must admit though, even with the bug essence, strawberry flavored drinks have me at strawberry.

 

[eddieb]

how about that bug juice?

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

boy am i glad that was buggin me ./..hahahahaha

 

[dannibear]

Corniest group award goes to all of you hahaha!

 

[Rockerduck]

If it wasn't for all the cars and trucks driving through Florida, can you imagine what the bug population would be.

 

[Boanerges]

Most foods contain insect parts. Below is an FDA list (taken from the Sixwise website):
Here is a very brief sampling of the Food and Drug Administration's Food Defect Action Level list. They begin investigation when foods reach the action level they've set. According to the FDA, typical foods contain about 10 percent of the action level, but others say they contain more like 40 percent.

CHOCOLATE AND CHOCOLATE LIQUOR

• Insect filth: Average is 60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams when 6 100-gram subsamples are examined OR any 1 subsample contains 90 or more insect fragments
  
• Rodent filth: Average is 1 or more rodent hairs per 100 grams in 6 100-gram subsamples examined OR any 1 subsample contains 3 or more rodent hairs

CITRUS FRUIT JUICES, CANNED

• Insects and insect eggs: 5 or more Drosophila and other fly eggs per 250 ml or 1 or more maggots per 250 ml

RED FISH AND OCEAN PERCH

• Parasites: 3% of the fillets examined contain 1 or more parasites accompanied by pus pockets

MACARONI AND NOODLE PRODUCTS

• Insect filth: Average of 225 insect fragments or more per 225 grams in 6 or more subsamples
  
• Rodent filth: Average of 4.5 rodent hairs or more per 225 grams in 6 or more subsamples

PEANUT BUTTER

• Insect filth: Average of 30 or more insect fragments per 100 grams
  
• Rodent filth: Average of 1 or more rodent hairs per 100 grams

POPCORN

• Rodent filth: 1 or more rodent excreta pellets are found in 1 or more subsamples, and 1 or more rodent hairs are found in 2 or more other subsamples OR 2 or more rodent hairs per pound and rodent hair is found in 50% or more of the subsamples OR 20 or more gnawed grains per pound and rodent hair is found in 50% or more of the subsamples

WHEAT FLOUR

• Insect filth: Average of 75 or more insect fragments per 50 grams
  
• Rodent filth: Average of 1 or more rodent hairs per 50 grams
  
  I have a relative who is an upper level executive with the FDA and he told me that every barge full of grain that is shipped has to be pumped with insecticide to control it's bug population. That grain is what your bread is made from.
  Sometimes I think it is better not to know everything- LOL!
  

 

[Peace Seeker]

Thanks Boanerges, I don't think I need to eat any more.

 

[Boanerges]

NP my friend- LOL!

 

[Michelle71]

Well, that's it. Why bow to the vegans? Just make vegan coffee! Removing the protein that countered some of the sugar will then cause the triglyceride level to increase beyond the charts, which will result in more heart attacks, and then the lawyers will be all excited because Starbucks will be liable for all the coronaries happening. Starbucks will blame the vegans, who will regret forcing the issue in the first place.

 

[Acebopata]

First of... what's starbucks?

And second, Eww!

 

[Peace Seeker]

First of... what's starbucks?

And second, Eww!

Hi Acebopata,

Starbucks is a billion dollar coffee shop company that has 1000s of shops all around the world. Just curious where you live, because it seems you don't have one near you?

 

[Acebopata]

Ah... so that's what starbucks does!

I live in a place tornadoes are common and sin is rampant. That's the best I can describe it.

 

[Peace Seeker]

Yep, that's what they do, expensive coffee! No tornadoes in my town, but as for the sin part it's rampant here as well.