Starbucks to stop using 'crushed bug' dye
NEW YORK - Starbucks Corp. says it will stop using a red dye in its drinks that is derived from crushed bugs.
The Seattle-based coffee chain said in a blog post on its website that it made the decision to reformulate its drinks after feedback from consumers prompted a "thorough" evaluation.
The company says it will swap out cochineal extract, which is made from the juice of a tiny beetle, and instead use lycopene, a tomato-based extract.
Cochineal dye is widely used in foods and cosmetics products such as lipstick, yogurt and shampoo. Starbucks had used the coloring in its strawberry flavored mixed drinks and foods like the raspberry swirl cake and red velvet whoopie pie.
The company's blog post says "we fell short of your expectations by using natural cochineal extract as a colorant in four food and two beverage offerings in the United States. ... As our customers you expect and deserve better - and we promise to do better."
Starbucks says the transition will occur over time and the intention is to be fully transitioned to the new dye by the end of June across the United States.
An online petition on Change.org asking the chain to stop using the bug-based dye had collected more than 6,000 signatures. The petition was started by a South Carolina woman who wanted to inform consumers that the chain's strawberry drinks weren't vegan-friendly.
The Seattle-based coffee chain said in a blog post on its website that it made the decision to reformulate its drinks after feedback from consumers prompted a "thorough" evaluation.
The company says it will swap out cochineal extract, which is made from the juice of a tiny beetle, and instead use lycopene, a tomato-based extract.
Cochineal dye is widely used in foods and cosmetics products such as lipstick, yogurt and shampoo. Starbucks had used the coloring in its strawberry flavored mixed drinks and foods like the raspberry swirl cake and red velvet whoopie pie.
The company's blog post says "we fell short of your expectations by using natural cochineal extract as a colorant in four food and two beverage offerings in the United States. ... As our customers you expect and deserve better - and we promise to do better."
Starbucks says the transition will occur over time and the intention is to be fully transitioned to the new dye by the end of June across the United States.
An online petition on Change.org asking the chain to stop using the bug-based dye had collected more than 6,000 signatures. The petition was started by a South Carolina woman who wanted to inform consumers that the chain's strawberry drinks weren't vegan-friendly.
