I want to talk a bit about cochineal extract y'all.


Hershey's uses it. Many makeup companies use it. Clothing companies use it.

It's in your fabrics, the stuff you dab on your lips and around your eyes, and of course, your food.

But what is it exactly?





Well, it's an insect:




The females of these species are killed, dried, ground up, and used to make "natural" food colorings that go into the stuff you use and love.

Vegitarian companies have been guilty from time to time of placing cochineal dies in their foods and wrapping products. It's brilliant red coloring, and the fact that it's plentiful and non-toxic, makes it ideal for many uses.








Anyways, let me know what you think about that. Thank you for your time.

for it

You are truly evil

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I'm trying to enlighten and educate. Have you seen some of the ignorance on this site? Price fans are dumbfucks!

Where is XxaxX when I need her. Or Jana?

horatio said:

i could've went on without this

fortunately i live with someone who knows all about this and helps keep me aware of what foods and items have bug squish as an ingredient.

and as much as we are able to succeed in avoiding bug goo in our clothes and food, i think it is completely impossible to live a 100% airtight cruelty-free life in our world today. that does not excuse us from making the best efforts we can to live based on our conscience and ideals; at the same time, i think everyone has to define their own limitations based on what they are able to do and what compromises remain to be made in order to survive. that is not a "pass" or "eat all the foie gras you want" pass. - that is a matter of creating a personal balance that appeals to your conscience while allowing for your survival.

i know imago didn't read all of that, so for his benefit i'll just end this post with

Anxiety said:

does your animal cruelty free lifestyle extend to bugs too?!

Can somebody summarize Anx's post? He's fucking hot so I don't want him thinking I'm ignoring him.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

not sure.

i guess i don't make a special point to be cruel to bugs just because i don't believe in cruelty toward other living things, but i'm not gonna just gently lecture a mosquito if it's trying to bite me. i'm gonna squash that ass.

if i had a choice between a sweater with bug dye and a sweater of the same make and price without bug dye, i'd opt for the non-bug sweater. i don't know how much of that has to do with ethical issues or how much of it has to do with gross-out issues.
[Edited 12/19/07 16:38pm]

yes , i'm aware of this and i don't eat products that contain it
[Edited 12/19/07 16:39pm]

i'm still getting used to the whole "beef extract" notion in mcdonald's fries and other food

Anxiety said:

yeah, that's how I knew about it too.

CarrieMpls said:

It's quite often used in yogurt.

CarrieMpls said:

This thread has totally not shocked or offended one damned person tonight.




I guess I should change to title to "2 Girls / 1 cochineal beetle"

Imago said:

You know, I'm really sick of hearing about that stupid thing. So people are gross. So what? I don't want to see it or hear about it. Yuck. Let's move on, please.

Imago said:

One of my sisters lives in England and she brought back this cake with cochineal used for color dye. My other sister works in a strict health food store and she refused to eat the cake because of that ingredient. So afterward she told us what it was, I still ate it, but we call it bug cake now. When my sister comes to visit, we request bug cake. Love it!

CarrieMpls said:

Who knew 2 girls and a bug would bother you so

wildgoldenhoney said:

I mean would it be better if it was some petroleum based chemical dye?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Oh, you haven't seen me bothered!

Anxiety said:

well, when I swim in that sea of daddy long legs, I'll be sure to tell them you mean them no harm

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

if you're swimming in a sea of daddy long legs, you have bigger problems than my ethical beliefs.

CarrieMpls said:

I've been crabby lately so don't worry, you'll be in good company if you ever go there

CarrieMpls said:

Oh Carrie


This is really about us, isn't it?

i swear people can't spell "vegetarian".

Imago said:

Have you seen my signature?

Whole. Heap. OF. ASS.

Imago said:

thank you anyways, i will keep a watchful eye over this when buying stuff
[Edited 12/19/07 17:18pm]

CarrieMpls said:

Like 2 helmets trapped in lycra pants

horatio said:

Some of us is okay with it, but we just make fun of the concept and call it bugcake. The store my sister works at is highly restrictive brining in any product made from a living thing. Have you heard of Burt's Bees? Well, theiir products are good but that store wont sell a certain lipstick color because of the bug. Whenever she gets samples from the BB company, she takes them home or gives them away because the store doesn't want it to be kept in their store. They're just strict I guess.