Some bugs are in our food because, well ... but they're there for flavor and texture, not color. That bright red comes from something else called carmine. Oh, and it's made from squashed bugs.

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.

U.S. health officials announced plans to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors from the nation’s food supply by the end ...

called cochineal insects, are a deep purpley red, and once crushed up they are a main ingredient in a bright red natural coloring that is prized by food and drink makers as a cheap alternative to ...

Nine dyes, including Red 3, have been allowed in U.S. food. The other common color additives ... In its place they use beet juice; carmine, a dye made from insects; or pigments from foods such ...

Of all the substances on Earth, very few can make rich, soulful red ... insects. For the National Geographic web series Ingredients, chemist George Zaidan studies what’s inside the food we ...

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.

Red No. 40, for example, can be found in salami, Yellow No. 6 in chicken bullion and Blue No. 1 in canned peas. Why is West Virginia banning some food dyes? Gounder noted that states can follow ...

Note: Cover your workspace and protect your clothing to avoid unwanted stains from the insect dye. Optional: Set aside the towel/filter with the big bug parts ... carminic acid, Natural Red 4, or E120 ...