Carmine -- a red coloring frequently used in yogurt, candies, fruit drinks and sweets. Carmine is actually made from the dead, ground-up husks of female red beetles. These beetles, which are typically raised in the Canary Islands, are dried and ground up to create a red paste. This red paste is then exported to the United States and other countries where food is produced. It is added to foods to give them a rose-like color, something similar to a strawberry color. It's listed on the label as "carmine", not as "ground-up red beetles."
It may or may not be hazardous - but is this honest? So many other food additives are given benign sounding names, so consumers don't have to "worry." What's on your dinner plate?
Long life and health to all,
C.C.
www.LoveNewLife.com
Edited by calmcookie, 04 May 2006 - 07:54 PM.
