I was tempted to put this in the "Uses For Cacti" forum

[tumamoc]

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/28/10908790-starbucks-draws-flak-over-dye-made-from-bugs

Ummm. Ummm. Yummy!

[daiv]

Well I guess it would fit there. This doesn't bother me at all. It sure didn't hurt anyone until they knew where it came from.

Just keep eating the Soylent Green and stop asking questions!

[Melt In The Sun]

In addition to not being vegan, it's not kosher (no eating things that "creep along the ground" generally interpreted to include insects). I'm not vegan or Jewish, but there ya have it...

[majcka]

Is there a question because of bugs or because its not totaly of plant?

[majcka]

Well I guess it would fit there. This doesn't bother me at all. It sure didn't hurt anyone until they knew where it came from.

Just keep eating the Soylent Green and stop asking questions!

Wasn't Soylent Green a title of movie couple (or maybe more couples) of decades ago? With Charlton Heston?

[Peterthecactusguy]

hmm I Am pretty sure we all have had cochineals (or something like that) they use it to dye fruit juices and many other things (red) I think it's Red #40 but I could be wrong on that one.

[daiv]

Wasn't Soylent Green a title of movie couple (or maybe more couples) of decades ago? With Charlton Heston?

Yes, a classic!

[CelticRose]

Cochineal used as a food dye is nothing new, but it is kind of annoying if you're a vegetarian.

I used to be a vegetarian, and I learned to read labels on everything because animals products show up in the darndest things. Bug juice (cochineal) in soda, beef broth in vegetable soup, rennet (calf stomach lining) in cheese, lard in refried beans, lard in cookies and cakes, etc.

However, I don't see what all the fuss about Starbucks is about. It's not like they're labelling the drinks as vegetarian. If something's not labelled as vegetarian or vegan then you've got to take your chances or do a little research.

[John C]

Interesting, I don't see what the problem is really. You will never be able to please everyone.

[Peterthecactusguy]

Interesting, I don't see what the problem is really. You will never be able to please everyone.

me either. Guess that is because I eat some types of meat. A major one I don't eat is chicken...
I just can't stand it. lolz

[Peterthecactusguy]

hmm I Am pretty sure we all have had cochineals (or something like that) they use it to dye fruit juices and many other things (red) I think it's Red #40 but I could be wrong on that one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmine

opps I was slightly wrong. Carminic lake is what cochineal red is referred too.

[daiv]

Rose,
I think you summed up the situation very well - particularly this point:

However, I don't see what all the fuss about Starbucks is about. It's not like they're labeling the drinks as vegetarian. If something's not labeled as vegetarian or vegan then you've got to take your chances or do a little research.

Maybe because people didn't envision Starbucks as a company that would promote the mistreatment of mealy bugs and the sudden realization is just too much to bear!

[Harriet]

Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. I could have gone on quite happily for the rest of my life without knowing where that dye comes from...

[Peterthecactusguy]

Rose,
I think you summed up the situation very well - particularly this point:

However, I don't see what all the fuss about Starbucks is about. It's not like they're labeling the drinks as vegetarian. If something's not labeled as vegetarian or vegan then you've got to take your chances or do a little research.

Maybe because people didn't envision Starbucks as a company that would promote the mistreatment of mealy bugs and the sudden realization is just too much to bear!

I would be quite happy to give Starbucks some Cochineals if they want them.

[Robinj]

Jere in holland, there is a new soda brand: Oggu. the advertisment says that it is biological(and vegan!!) and healthy because there are no ingredients wich people cant pronounce. That's bull (not the vegan part, just the part that they say if you can't pronounce something, it isn't healthy) that they because Brassica oleracea l.Gemnifera is the same as brussel sprouts and hust as healthy. So, if i want to undermine (yuk, a military strategy*) i just change all the normal names into the latin names.

Just wanted to tell you.



* I have a big interest in the military and i want to use not to much military strategies and words.