American Sensibilities Hurt Subsistance Farmers, Again
Apparently Starbucks has promised to remove cochineal extract from their food/beverages. It's a flavourless red dye used as an alternative to petroleum-based Red Dye #40, and is a significant cash crop for Central and South American subsistance farmers. Unfortunately, a complaint from the vegan community touched off a great deal of discomfort among non-vegetarian insectophageophobes (my word for people afraid they're eating bugs). I can see the vegan/vegetarian complaint on philosophical grounds, but it really seems like cochineal is a good option for general consumption.
via Skepchick on two occasions. The second has an amusing discussion of the magnitude of mischaracterization of the cochineal insect as a beetle.
via Skepchick on two occasions. The second has an amusing discussion of the magnitude of mischaracterization of the cochineal insect as a beetle.