Do you mind Starbucks putting bugs in your drink?

1. 68

   Becky Bruceposted 12 years ago

   Do you mind Starbucks putting bugs in your drink?
   
   Starbucks recently admitted to using crushed up cochineal insects to add the pinkish-red color to their strawberry smoothies. How do you feel about unknowingly drinking bugs?
   
   

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2. 59

   Josakposted 12 years ago

   Cochineal is used in a bunch of stuff and is harmless.

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      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      what other stuff is it used in? If you don't mind sharing! Thanks

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3. 60

   nothukposted 12 years ago

   As Josak mentioned, in this case this substance is harmless. The real trouble is when food companies use artificial chemicals for improving the taste or for a longer expiry date on the products, which are on many occasions very dangerous and can lead to many health complications.

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      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      interesting!! The bugs are harmless... and probably much better for us than the food coloring that would be used otherwise. Could you go into slightly more detail about these health complications? I'm intrigued....

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4. 76

   nmdondersposted 12 years ago

   I think it's a bit misleading.  I understand that it may be harmless but people have certain expectations when purchasing products.  Especially with the cost of Starbucks drinks, I think they should use natural ingredients or inform the customer, very clearly, that they are doing otherwise.

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      nmdondersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I thought this was a subjective question with no right or wrong answer.   Is an opinion wrong? Just click downvote, it's easier than attempting to articulate an intelligent comment.

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      IDONOposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Are not bugs organic and natural? Add up to all, but a down to you.

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   3. 68

      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think we should have more access to the ingredients in the foods and beverages that we purchase. perhaps some of us are opposed to eating bugs... or any living creatures at that. And yes this is subjective question, just curious what others think!

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      Ask Ashleyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you and voted you up.

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5. 59

   Jeff Gambleposted 12 years ago

   While we may cringe at the thought of insect bits in our food, there are "exotic" ingredients used in all sorts of food products, and as nothuk mentioned, it's the artificial stuff we need to worry about. (Clearly, these are tasty bugs.)

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      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very true...Starbucks did use these bugs as opposed to an artificial dyes.... so at least it is natural. Yet, sometimes I think.. what's worse eating an insect or eating a huge, sweet, and pretty cow? Logically, the bugs don't seem as bad!

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6. 78

   daskittlez69posted 12 years ago

   Cochineal has been used for centuries so I do not know what the big thing is.  It is used in quite a bit of other foods that you eat and liquids that you drink.

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   1. 68

      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      daskittlez- love your calm attitude about this! CNN just put SBUX on blast... now everyone knows the smoothie is produced with bug bodies.... although far less people seem to be worried about it than I would have expected! I guess I'm a squeamish one

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7. 60

   IDONOposted 12 years ago

   Bugs and bacteria are not all bad. I'm dating myself, but I remember the big deal made of red dye use to enhance the color of meat. It was a chemical that was later discovered to be a carcinagen. Steroids being used to speed the growth of cattle and genetic altering to adjust the growth of sweet corn all bother me. I don't see any of this information on the side of a milk carton or on a McDonald's menu. Why should Starbuck's be any different.
        With all of these chemicals and such being used, a few bugs in my slushy is the least of my worries. Afterall, bugs are organic and natural, Right?

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      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      great points here IDONO...  at least bugs are not causing unknown damages to our bodies like many of the other foods you mentioned.

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      nmdondersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Adding steroids, chemicals, and the like may be fairly common practice but it doesn't mean that it is just accepted. Some people want to know about additives, particularily animal or insect parts that you wouldn't think are in a beverage.

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8. 96

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   I don't see a big deal about it. Everything from clothes, jello, and jarred cherries have this bug dye in them. It is an all natural product. If people were truly worried about the ingredients then they would have asked starbucks for one of their ingredient sheets that plainly states what's in any drink they have. People put far too much trust in companies then complain when something happens they don't like. In case you didn't know already the FDA allows bugs and rat hairs in food. Everything from peanut butter, chocolate, canned fruit, juice, and many more contain bugs and rat hairs and feces.

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      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I did not know about the 'rat hair' thing... but that really grosses me out!

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   Ask Ashleyposted 12 years ago

   I find it interesting that they are willingly using bugs to get this color...I personally would prefer artificial coloring to bugs..though in hindsight, maybe the bugs are healthier? The FDA approves more bugs in foods than most people want to think...a standard can of mushrooms for example is made with maggots..an average of 20 per can! I try to stay away from processed and canned foods for this reason, so it is a bit disheartening to think a large beverage company is choosing to use bugs without disclosure before now. Regardless if they are harmless or not, it's nice to know what we are drinking.
   
   In case anyone is interested in my maggot example, this is the link to FDA:
   
   http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManu … 074626.htm

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      Becky Bruceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Ashley! That is so interesting!! glad to know someone else is feeling iffy about drinking bugs. But it's funny because we both admit that the unnatural additives are worse for us... I just don't think I want either!

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10. 82

    BlissfulWriterposted 12 years ago

    I don't mind.  I prefer that they use that rather than synthetic dye.   Cochineal is used a food coloring in many food products and beverages.   It is true according to snopes: http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/bugjuice.asp
    
    I feel that they are relatively harmless to health and in fact is less harmful to the body than synthetic dyes and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

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