Follow
One tall Strawberry Frappuccino – extra insects please! Starbucks reveals popular drink contains crushed BUGS
Have you ever wondered how Starbucks makes their Strawberry Frappuccinos look so vibrantly pink
The pink hue is thanks to crushed upinsects, according to new information provided by the coffee chain giant.
In a statement released by Starbucks, the company has revealedthat they use cochineal extract, which is the ground-up bodies of insects, as adye for the popular rose-coloured beverage.
Unique blend: Starbucks” Strawberry Frappuccino uses cochineal extract, which is crushed insects. It”s used commonly in food and drinks
Bugs from mainly Mexico and South America are dried outbefore they are ground and used in the milky-based Frappuccino drink.
As stomach-turning as it may sound, the ingredient is infact harmless. Commonly used to help liven up the dull hues of jams,meats, cheese, baked goods, alcoholic drinks and more, cochineal extract has beenused as a colouring agent in food and drinks for centuries.
It has been deemed safe by the United States’ Food and DrugAdministration.
Starbucks said it had decided to use cochineal extract tohelp limit the use of artificial ingredients in its products.
‘At Starbucks, we strive to carry products that meet avariety of dietary lifestyles and needs,’ the statement read. ‘While thestrawberry base isn’t a vegan product, it helps us move away from artificialdyes.’
Frightening matter: Cochineal insects are usually sourced from Mexico and South America before being dried out and crushed for use
All natural: Cochineal insects are used in many jams, alcoholic beverages and foods to get that rich pink colour often seen in strawberry products
But the all-natural matter is not entirely free of healthrisks.
The World Health Organisation has found that cochinealextract may cause asthma in some people. Others may see an allergic reaction.
Vegan fans may not be happy with its inclusion either. ThisDishIsVegetarian.com,an animal rights and eco-friendly news site, labels the extract non-vegan.