Watch Out For Bugs In Your Food

Effective January 5, 2011, the FDA will require all cochineal extract and carmine color additives to be included in the ingredient statement on food and cosmetic labels.  Currently these are usually listed as "artificial color."

In case you're not aware, cochineal extract and carmine are used to dye food, drinks and cosmetics various shades of red, orange, pink and purple, and are extracted from the dried bodies of the female cochineal bug.

The reason for the ruling is that cochineal/carmine food colorings can cause severe allergic reaction in people.

For further information, see:

• FDA 21 CFR Parts 73 and 101
  
• Center for Science in the Public Interest Press Release 1/5/09
• FDA Law Blog
• Wikipedia - Cochineal

Related Information:

1. Food, Inc. on DVD
2. Food, Inc. Review
3. Another Reason Not to Eat Meat
4. So What Does One Eat During a Tornado Watch?
5. Alltop — A New “Online Magazine Rack”

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