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

L-Cysteine (E920) from human air

Here's some findings about what L-Cysteine is produced from.

What is it and where is it used?
L-Cysteine is a non essential amino acid used in bakery products as dough conditioner. It helps keep the dough from shrinking in case of pizza crust and pita breads. It is also used in bagels. It also reduced mixing time. L-Cysteine is made from either human hair, chicken feathers and synthetic material.

One leading amino acid supplier reported to us in February 2011 that "duck feathers or human hair" were the sources, based on an official statement received from its Chinese supplier.
A product manager with another food ingredients company reported to The VRG in August 2010 that "it’s not human hair, not duck feathers, that’s the major source of L-cysteine today; it’s hog hair." He estimated hog hair to be the source of 90% of the Chinese L-cysteine supply.
A manager of company that produces non-animal L-cysteine stated in September 2010 that the major animal source of L-cysteine today was "human hair mostly" followed by "duck feathers or hog hair when the human hair supply was low." According to this source, feathers and hog hair "are reportedly inefficient compared to [human] hair [in yielding great quantities of L-cysteine]. So if there is a problem with hair [supply], then hog hair or feathers may be a backup."

- March 09, 2011 vrg.org

And more...

We reported the human and animal origins of L-cysteine in The Vegetarian Resource Group's Dictionary of Food Ingredients ten years ago. Then, the most common source was human hair found on the floors of Chinese barbershops. Today, it is derived from Chinese duck feathers approximately 80% of the time (estimation based on values given by several companies that manufacture and sell L-cysteine).
L-cysteine is considered a substance that is generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. It must be labeled by its "common and usual name," (i.e., "L-cysteine"), on food packages, even if present in very small amounts, as long as it has a functional effect in foods. In other cases, such as when it is used to make flavors that are in foods, it does not have to be labeled. When L-cysteine does have to be labeled, its source does not have to be specified according to the FDA. While researching L-cysteine, The VRG asked several fast food chains and a major vegetarian food company about the sources of L-cysteine in their products. McDonald's told us that L-cysteine derived from duck feathers is in their Honey Wheat Roll, the Deluxe Warm Cinnamon Roll, and the Baked Apple Pie. The L-cysteine in several items offered at Dunkin' Donuts is also derived from duck feathers. Burger King told us in June 2007 that it "could not guarantee" the source of L-cysteine in its products.
On the other hand, Subway recently announced in March 2007 that it has removed the L-cysteine from its otherwise animal product-free Carb Conscious Wrap. When asked about the source of L-cysteine in several of its products, Domino's Pizza told us that L-cysteine is "microbially derived" in its Hand-Tossed Crust and informed us that the L-cysteine in Domino's Breadsticks, Cheesy Bread, and Cinna Stix is "vegetable-derived."
The public relations firm for Morningstar Farms told us that the L-cysteine in their Veggie Bites Country Scramble, Veggie Bites Spinach Artichoke, and Veggie Bites Eggs Florentine was a "microbial fermentation product."
2007 - vrg.org

And more...

The possibility that human hair may be used in bread relates to the existence of an
animal-based flour additive called L-Cysteine. It is an amino acid which is used as a
flour improver. It is known as E920 and is permitted for use in all biscuits, breads
and cakes except those that claim to be wholemeal. 

The problem with E920 is that even when it is used it doesn’t have to be listed in the ingredients that’s because it is broken down in the baking process so the manufacturers argue that doesn’t constitute an ingredient. The Food Standards Agency denies this, It says that L-Cysteine must always be labelled. Indeed, the industry says the reason you so rarely see E920 on labels is that these days it is very rarely used (apparently it was much more common fifteen years ago).and that the only L-Cysteine their members would use is the synthetic variety. However the European regulation specifies that only L-Cysteine produced from duck and chicken feathers or from pig bristles can be used. That means that, so long as your daily bread was baked in Europe, it almost certainly does not include human hair but the question is that not suitale for the Muslim consumer unless duck and chicken feathers are from animals Halal slaughtered in accordance with the Islamic Shariah Law.  

(ref)

L-Cysteine in Domino’s Pizza: “Non-Animal” According to Domino’s. (ref)

And more fastfood details. (ref)

Your pizza might have human hair without you realizing it. The consumption of human hair comes in the form of L-cysteine an additive that is cheaper than other forms such as petroleum. This ingredient makes dough softer, stronger, and faster to bake. L-cysteine is found in an innumerable amount of products ranging from pizza dough to supplements. "L-cysteine may be present in a number of foods, but it is not always listed on the ingredients," says Richard Ratcliffe, the executive secretary of the British Food Additives and Ingredients Associations. (ref)

From a 2010 article on BBC News:


The thought may be an appetite killer, but human hair can be used to make an additive that is found in foods such as the dough for pizza crusts and bagels.
Your mop top is a rich source of L-cysteine, an amino acid that can be extracted from hair and used as a flavour enhancer or flour improver. It is sometimes listed as E920 on food packaging. As well as being found in dough it can be used to give food a meat-like flavour, especially in dog food.
Ten to 15 years ago human hair was a main source of L-cysteine. Producers, mainly based in China, extracted it from hair clippings from salons, even strands collected from hairbrushes.

But as people became more aware of what was in their food, they simply didn't like the thought of human hair having anything to do with what they ate. More Chinese people also started perming their hair, which made extracting the amino acid more difficult.
"As more people found out where L-cysteine came from they thought 'yuck, human hair, don't fancy that'," says a spokesman for Premium Ingredients, a major distributor of ingredients for the food, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries.
"It was also extracted from mainly Chinese hair because it is straight, making the process much easier and cheaper. But more and more people started using perm lotions which made the process more complicated and costly."
Now L-cysteine comes mainly from chicken and duck feathers, which can be collected in larger quantities than hair. In recent years it has also started to be manufactured synthetically. Premium Ingredients, for one, no longer uses human hair.
"People find this more palatable," says the spokesman. The synthetic stuff can also be eaten by vegans and is considered by most to be halal and kosher.



On wikipedia. (ref)

Pregelatinized Corn is vegan

Pregelatinized Corn according to http://www.didionmilling.com/productscorn.aspx


Pregelatinized corn flour is a cooked corn flour that hydrates readily in cold, aqueous mediums to form a stable fluid paste.

Pregelatinized Corn Flour - Made from selected streams and cooked at a high temperature to provide a constant viscosity. May be used in fig and fruit paste as a moisture-retaining agent and/or extender. It can also be used as a binding agent in extruded products such as cereals, snack foods or pastas. Widely used as a meat extender, dough conditioner or thickening agent.

Yellow Corn Kibble - Corn meal and corn flour combined and cooked at a high temperature under pressure, then ground to produce a high fat and easily digestible food. Easily hydrates in cold water, forming a viscosity paste. Also called pregelatinized corn meal.

Pregelatinized Corn Grits - A granular precooked lightweight corn grit that is an excellent carrier for flavors and color used in a wide variety of food applications

However, a pregelatinized corn flour might have the following quality and cost limitations: high cost, lack of flavor/aroma, and poor texture. http://www.freshpatents.com/Continuous-production-of-masa-flour-and-whole-corn-flour-for-grain-based-foods-using-a-novel-precooking-dt20070628ptan20070148318.php

Is the ingredient known as pre-gelatinized wheat starch vegetarian?

According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives: " When starch and water are heated the starch molecules burst and form a gelatin."

According to The Dictionary of Food Ingredients it is a starch that has been created by swelling wheat in cold water. It is also known as gelatinized wheat starch.

According to Food Chemistry: "Pregelatinized flour is made from ground cereals....and is sometimes blended with guar flour or alginates." http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faqingredients.htm


There is no gelatin in it. Fine for vegans and vegetarians.

One A Day multi-vitamin suitable for vegans?

Is this product suitable for vegans? If not, what ingredient is from animal source?
http://www.oneadaymonthyear.ca/
The vitamins are for men and women with vitamins and minerals. 

---

In response to your inquiry, in all One A Day formulations marketed in
Canada, gelatin is derived from an animal source.

Kind regards,
Medical Information Associate
Bayer Consumer Care

--

I did not check how it is with the D vitamin.

PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese is pasteurized

I tried to find out how it is with this and had to call Consumer Relations for Kraft Canada. According to them all their milk is pasteurized. Products like PHILADELPHIA Brick Cream Cheese and their Tub Cream Cheese. I think it should be on their website as well as their ingredient list on the products just like it is in UK.

Ingredients:
Made with pasteurised milk.
Added ingredients:
Stabilisers (E410, E407)

Hidden water consumption

Visit http://www.waterfootprint.org/ for more about Virtual Water and Water Footprint. You can also calculate your water consumption or water footprint. It makes a big difference if you're a vegan or not.

1 apple - 70 litres water
1kg barley or wheat - 1300 litres water
1kg beef- 15500 litres water

Kingsmill - PaneRiso White Pizza Crusts

Canbrands Specialty Foods monoglycerides are soy (plant) based. Many of Canbrands products are suitable for vegans.

Kingsmill - PaneRiso White Pizza Crusts INGREDIENTS: Rice flour, potato starch, water, non- hydrogenated canola oil, sugar, salt, methylcellulose (thickening agent), yeast, calcium propionate (preservative) and monoglycerides.

Gluten Free

Corn, Egg, Milk, Lactose, and Cholesterol Free

Website

Other products from Canbrands are:

• PaneRiso Foods Large Pizza Crusts
• Kingsmill Foods Cherry Jelly Mix
• Kingsmill Foods Orange Jelly Mix
• PaneRiso Herb & Garlic Croutons
• PaneRiso Rice Bread Crumbs
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Brown Rice Bread
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Flax Seed Bread
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Raisin and Cinnamon Bread
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso White Rice Bread
• PaneRiso Unimix Bread
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Cinnamon Cookies
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Coconut Cookies
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Orange Cookies
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Rice Bread and Baking Mix
• Kingsmill - PaneRiso Egg Replacer
• Kingsmill Rice Cake and Cookie Mix
• Kingsmill Quick Thick
• Kingsmill Unimix Baking Mix

Kingsmillfoods no longer produces gluten Free products-
they sold that division to Canbrands foods- who retain the Kingsmill name for product recognition.

Whey and rennet in Sobeys products

I wonder a little about your cheese products in general and about the Brie cheese you have.
Does the Brie Cheese contain or is it made using whey or rennet of animal source?
Is it something else in the product that is of animal source that is not from milk?

How about your other cheese products?
Is there any that are without or not made using whey or rennet of animal source?

Thank you for your message. The Brie contains milk as well as cream.   As we  have numerous suppliers for our cheeses, I have listed below with their ups scan code so you know what to look for in the stores a few that do not contain rennet but do contain milk. Please contact us again at the toll-free number or e-mail address below with any questions or comments on any of our Compliments products.

I'm not sure if I understand.

Can you respond to this question.

Does the Compliments Brie Cheese you have contain or is it made using whey or rennet of animal source?

Another question. When a product contain rennet or whey does it show up on the ingredient list or not?

 

Rennet should show up on the ingredient list if used. If a microbial enzyme is used to coagulate the milk instead of rennet, the ingredients should read "microbial enzyme" or "bacterial culture" or list the bacteria used. Whey is the fluid portion of milk.

The reason why I wonder about whey is that whey and whey powder are usually by-products of the cheese making process which mainly uses animal rennet.

 

Here is the response I received from my Quality assurance manger regarding the question you asked below. 

From the ingredients declaration, this product contains bacterial cultures, so the bacteria are used. There is no mention of Rennet so it does not have rennet.

The whey is the fluid portion of milk.

Sincerely,

Compliments Customer Care
Toll Free: 1-866-672-0061
Compliments@Sobeys.com
www.Compliments.ca

Is ground Salba or whole Salba seed best

I was contacting Salba because I wondered if I should use whole or ground seeds. Here is their reply.

I see nowhere on if there is any difference eating whole or crushed.

Some grains you don't get all nutrition of it if you eat them whole so I wonder if the stomach will digest them whole or if it is best with crushed ones.

We assume that the nutrients from the whole Salba seed are available for absorption as well as those from ground Salba, because Salba has an open husk that softens up when it gets in contact with any fluid. Also, when you add the seed to water you can see that it absorbs a lot of water, indicating the seed is easily accessible.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me again.

Enjoy Salba!

www.sourcesalba.com

Salba® is the richest whole food source of Omega 3 fatty acids and fibre found in nature. Every serving (12 grams or approximately 2 flat tablespoons) of Salba® provides over 2,400 mg of Omega 3s, over 4,500 mg of dietary fibre, with less than 0.5 net carbohydrates per serving. Gram for gram, Salba® provides six times more calcium than whole milk, three times more iron than spinach, and fifteen times more magnesium than broccoli. Salba® is all-natural, has no trans-fats, is gluten free, has almost no carbohydrates, and is certified Non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism).

List of non vegan colors and dyes

BETA CAROTENE: Provitamin A. Carotene. Found in many animal tissues an in all plants. Used as a coloring in cosmetics and in the manufacture of Vitamin A. Question is if it really has animal source in any cases?

CARMINE: Cochineal. Carminic Acid. E120. Red pigment from the crushed female cochineal insect. Reportedly 70,000 beetles may be killed to produce one pound of this red dye. Used in cosmetics, shampoos, red apple sauce and other foods. May cause allergic reactions. Alternatives: beet juice, no known toxicity (used in powders, rouges, shampoos); alkanet root, from the root of an herblike tree, no known toxicity (used as a red dye for inks, wines, lip balms, etc. and can be combined to make a copper or blue coloring). Natural Red 4 (Red#4) also known as crimson lake, carmine, carminic acid, or cochineal. The dye is made from an insect called the cochineal, which lives on cacti in Mexico and South America, and is neither vegetarian, kosher, nor halal.

SILK POWDER: Obtained from the secretion of the silkworm. Used as a coloring agent in face powders, soaps, etc. Causes severe allergic reactions; systemic reactions if inhaled or ingested.

Some color that might have animal source:
E101 (B): Riboflavin, Vitamin B2
E101a (B): Riboflavin-5-Phosphate
E104 (B): Quinoline Yellow
E150a (B): plain caramel. It is manufactured by heating carbohydrates with or without acids or alkalis
E150b (B): caustic caramel. It is produced like E150a, but in the presence of sulfite compounds
E150c (B): ammonia caramel. It is produced like E150a, but in the presence of ammonium compounds
E150d (B): sulfite ammonia caramel. It is produced like E150a, but with both sulfite and ammonium compounds
E153 (B): Carbon Black, Vegetable Carbon
E160a (B): Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Gamma-carotene. Can be made synthetically, but usually extracted from carrots. Gelatine may be used as a stabiliser
E170 (B): Calcium Carbonate, Chalk

Some artificial colors are made with animal ingredients. But I have not found any information on what colors that would be.

More non vegan ingredients can be found here.

A website with everything about food colors is found here.

Vegan Society has more information as well with Animal-Derived Possibly Animal-Derived Additives and more.

A list of food additives and food coloring and E-numbers on Wikipedia.