The FDA, Cochineal Bug Extract & You

You're probably wondering what the words in the subject of this post have to do with one another, right?  Well, actually they have A LOT in common as you'll soon find out...

Cochineal bug extract is a common ingredient used in food, beverages and cosmetics for it's brilliant hues of red, pink and purple.  When used in cosmetics, the ingredient is known as CARMINE.  When used in the food & beverage industry, it's labeled as 'artificial coloring', 'artificial color added' and 'color added'.  If you've ever purchased a cosmetic like a bright red lipstick or a vibrant pink blush, chances are it may have contained carmine.  If you've ever eaten a red piece of candy, drank a glass of fruit punch or consumed some strawberry flavored yogurt, chances are you may have also consumed some cochineal bugs along the way.  Mmmm...Yummy!

The female cochineal bug is harvested from the cacti that it lives and feeds on.  It is then ground up and shipped off to be added to the products we use on a daily basis.  The problem with this ingredient (besides the 'ick' factor) is that it has been shown to cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock.

On January 6th, 2009, the FDA (due to mounting pressure from consumers and citizen watchdog groups) declared that ALL cosmetic, food and beverage manufacturers that use cochineal bug extract to color their products MUST declare this ingredient on the label.  This way, consumers who are allergic to this ingredient and/or those who knowingly opt not to ingest bug extract, can avoid these products.  However, the FDA is not requiring companies to divulge the fact that cochineal extract (carmine) is derived from INSECTS.  That's left up to you, John Q. Consumer, to discover.

This legislation does not go into effect until January 2011.  Companies have the choice to voluntarily comply during the interim.  So, to the consumer who is allergic to cochineal extract, the vegan who is against eating bugs, or the person whose religion forbids them to consume an ingredient like this- all I can say is... CAVEAT EMPTOR, or in otherwords, LET THE BUYER BEWARE.

Another interesting fact to point out is that many so-called "natural" cosmetic manufacturers who claim not to have carmine in their products, actually may whether they are aware of it or not.  That's because many of the pink, red and purple pigments they use in a formula can actually be coated with carmine!  Disclosing this information to the consumer isn't required; at least not until 2011.

You can be assured that PRIIA's products will NEVER contain carmine (or any other bug extracts for that matter).  We review each and every MSDS sheet (material data safety sheet) for each and every pigment we use to ensure they are NOT coated with synthetics, dyes, lakes, bismuth oxychloride, heavy metals, OR carmine.  PRIIA will also be signing the TRUTH IN LABELING PLEDGE from the Natural Ingredient Resource Center in regard to full disclosure of our ingredients at the time of our launch in March.  Yes, carmine makes some gorgeous shades of red, pink and purple, however, it's an ingredient we've decided to pass up.   

Bottom line:  Until this new legislation takes effect, you've got to be your own best advocate.  Do your due diligence.  A little bit of knowledge goes a loooong way.

Question: What do you think of the FDA's ruling?  Do you think that consumers will be less likely to buy a product whose labels states: "Contains carmine as a color additive"?  Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

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Cheers!

-The Mineral Makeup Coach

Comments

[Todra]

This is totally nasty. Thanks for sharing. LOL But seriously, even if you're not allergic, it's sort of gross to know this is in my makeup and FOOD.

[PRIIA Cosmetics]

Hello Todra- Thanks for posting!

Yes, it's gross. It's just disturbing to me that this ingredient never had to be listed by it's real name until now. I think consumers really need to be their own best advocates when it comes to what they put on AND in their bodies.

Cheers!
-The Mineral Makeup Coach

[bj]

Yoplait yogurt has Carmine in some of the flavors! My daughter is a nurse and she read an article about this subject about a month ago. I've been furiously checking labels ever since then. *shudder*

[PRIIA Cosmetics]

Hi bj!

Thanks for your comments and keep on checking those labels! You'll be shocked at just how many products contain carmine as a colorant. It spans far and wide from fruit juices to yogurt & everything in between. Hopefully, companies will begin to step up to the plate now rather than wait until 2011 to label their products accordingly.

Cheers!
-The Mineral Makeup Coach

[johanne blanchette]

pepto bismol also has carmine in it My friend took ingested some due to upset stomach, it turned out she was allergic to the red dye(carmine). and got very sick was in the hospital in the icu .

[PRIIA Cosmetics]

Hi Johanne,

Thank you for commenting. Wow, that was really scary for your friend. I hope everthing turned out ok. That's just one more example of consumers having to be their own watchdogs when it comes to safety & health.

Cheers!
-The Mineral Makeup Coach

[Ms Patricia Marek]

The FDA will have to add the word
insect or the words beetle bug to
the labels which would say that a
product contains carmine, a color
additive. That alone won't do it.
Most people do not know what carmine IS. IF the public knew,
much of it may very well opt to NOT
ingest an insect; like when I tell
women or other vegetarians.

[PRIIA Cosmetics]

Hello Patricia,

Thank you for commenting and I agree with you completely. The big question is WILL the FDA do this? In my opinion, most likely not. Consumers need to do their 'due dilegence' even more when it comes to their health and safety.

Cheers!
-The Mineral Makeup Coach

[e cigarettes]

I am beginning to really lose all faith and credibility in the FDA. It seems to me that instead of focusing their efforts on protecting the general public they are in-turn being influenced by corporate agenda and special interest. I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

[skin care products]

I am not sure if I will continue using such cosmetics after I read the post. They may be small bugs but they are also living animals. I think we humans do not have the right to kill and extract the juice of that insect for our beauty rituals. I thank you for sharing this post, it opened my eyes and idea for this industry.