The FDA approved crushed insects for use as a food coloring and allows companies to hide that fact

Boycott Watch - Groups Move to Ban FDA Approved Bugs in food.

Groups Move to Ban FDA Approved Bugs in food.

Summary: Do you like eating ground bugs? The FDA says it is ok.

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.'