That's mostly thanks to artificial colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 ... people have been using these bugs to dye everything from clothes to pottery. But it wasn't until more recently ...

Tennessee lawmakers are proposing a bill that would ban red dye 40 in foods sold at schools.They argue the dye can harm ...

Of all the substances on Earth, very few can make rich, soulful red. It’s the red of lipstick ... The cochineal bugs—a species of scale insect—are a centuries-old colorant.

An curved arrow pointing right. Cochineals are tiny bugs that live on prickly pear cactuses. The acid in their guts makes a red dye used in textiles, cosmetics, and foods like M&Ms and Yoplait yogurt.

comes from dried bugs. It has been used in food since the 16th century. It’s also found in cosmetics. Red 40, also known as Allura Red, is the most commonly used red dye in various products.

To make it, workers grind up thousands of the tiny bugs. Then they mix the deep red powder with water. Nearly 70,000 bugs go into each pound of cochineal, or carmine, coloring.

Note: Cover your workspace and protect your clothing to avoid unwanted stains from the insect ... dye is in your foods, make-up, or clothing? Check the ingredient label for the different names ...

Red No. 40, for example, can be found in salami ... In January, the FDA announced its decision to revoke the authorization for one dye, Red No. 3, to be added to foods, after evidence showed ...

She said it would not apply to vending machines or concessions, and said the dye has been linked to health concerns. Schools will be prohibited from providing food with Red 40 dyes starting Aug. 1 ...

The bill was introduced by Representative Elaine Davis (R-Knoxville) and would not apply to concessions or vending machines.