This just in….the coffee giant Starbucks is using bugs in their drinks!! Say WHAT?! Starbucks has been known to refer to their Strawberry Frappuccino’s as a vegan friendly product but with the news surfacing that it now contains bugs, a barista that works for the company decided to spread the word through http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/ so that other vegans would not consume this product unintentionally!
The Cochineal extract comes from the dried bodies of the Cochineal bug and has been used to dye fabrics for thousands of years. This extract is also known as “carmine” or “crimson lake”, and is then used to add color to many food items such as yogurt, candies, fruit drinks, ice cream, and even cosmetics. The FDA states that the extract is safe for human consumption and that companies must clearly label food and products that contain the “cochineal” extract.
While this extract is not new to the food world it has caused quite a stir for the coffee giant with many consumers those who are vegan in particular to call out the company who states that their main goal is to limit the amount of artificial ingredients in their products while also striving to carry products that meet the vast variety of dietary and lifestyle needs of their customers. With the news spreading a petition has been prompted by http://www.change.org/ that wants Starbucks to use more natural alternatives to coloring such as red beets, purple sweet potatoes, and paprika.
I have always been a fan of Starbucks and will often stop by there on my way to class to get my drink of choice which is the Green Tea Lemonade, and while I can see why this story is gaining news coverage across the nation I really do not see what the big deal is. As long as the integrity of the product is still intact and is safe for human consumption with no ill side effects, I say let the good times roll. Undoubtedly this publicity will only cause Starbucks to gain more loyal fans who want to go BUG!!
By: Ashley Dydasco
This was an interesting post, I really enjoyed your humor in the light matter. I totally agree with you in that it is harmless. However, for people who choose to live the vegan lifestyle, it is quite difficult to find alternative picks in places such as Starbucks. I have never heard of Starbucks claiming to have vegan choices, or at least their are not big on advertising so. What that being said I don't see what the big deal is. Already, the vegan lifestyle is hard to adhere to in terms of find restaurants that meet their needs. Therefore, it is not surprising that something like this would happen.
ReplyDeleteI found your post really interesting as I had not heard this in the news. I am an avid Starbucks customer and I have not seen them promote vegan choices. I understand that the vegan diet is a lifestyle and can be rather hard to adhere to. However, I think that it is hard for major stores like Starbucks to cater to a small population all the time. I feel that if it's that big of a deal for certain customers, they should make another selection.
ReplyDeleteThe title drew me in right away and I have to say it made me squirm after reading the rest of the blog. I would have never expected that Starbucks would put that in their drinks as a food coloring of sorts. I am not against eating insects since in many cultures it is a form of getting protein in a meal. I’ve even eaten grasshoppers while traveling but I knew what I was eating. I’m sure that it wouldn’t have been such a big scandal if the customers knew before hand what was being put in their drinks rather than having it is a surprise message from one of the baristas.
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