Starbucks use of cochineal E120 in Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino

Starbucks admitted to using cochineal extract in their famous Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino. The extract is found in the strawberry puree used to create the beverage. Starbucks is claiming the extract helps bring out the bright pink color in the beverage, as well as adhere to their goal to use only all-natural products.

The pink hue is thanks to crushed up insects, according to new information provided by the coffee chain giant.
In a statement released by Starbucks, the company has revealed that they use cochineal extract, which is the ground-up bodies of insects, as a dye for the popular rose-coloured beverage.

Bugs from mainly Mexico and South America are dried out before they are ground and used in the milky-based Frappuccino drink.

Starbucks said it had decided to use cochineal extract to help limit the use of artificial ingredients in its products.
‘At Starbucks, we strive to carry products that meet a variety of dietary lifestyles and needs,’ the statement read. ‘While the strawberry base isn’t a vegan product, it helps us move away from artificial dyes.’

“Many Starbucks ingredients can be combined to create a beverage free from animal-derived products; however, we are unable to guarantee this due to the potential cross-contamination with other animal-derived products in our retail locations.”

The World Health Organisation has found that cochineal extract 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.


Via DailyMail

Carmine, also called Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470, or E120, is a pigment of a bright-red color obtained from the aluminum salt of carminic acid, which is produced by some scale insects, such as the cochineal scale and the Polish cochineal, and is used as a general term for a particularly deep-red color of the same name. Carmine is used in the manufacture of artificial flowers, paints, crimson ink, rouge, and other cosmetics, and is routinely added to food products such as yogurt and certain brands of juice, the most notable ones being those of the ruby-red variety.

To prepare carmine, the powdered scale insect bodies are boiled in ammonia or a sodium carbonate solution, the insoluble matter is removed by filtering, and alum is added to the clear salt solution of carminic acid to precipitate the red aluminium salt, called "carmine lake" or "crimson lake." Purity of color is ensured by the absence of iron. Stannous chloride, citric acid, borax, or gelatin may be added to regulate the formation of the precipitate. For shades of purple, lime is added to the alum; thus, the traditional crimson color is guaranteed not only by carminic acid but also by choice of its chelating metal salt ion.

Carmine on Wikipedia