The crushed bodies of a Central and South American insect, called the Cochineal, produces a natural red dye.

They are used for textiles, food-coloring, and cosmetics. Next time you see an ingredients list that includes carmine, cochineal extract or natural red 4, it comes from these bugs.

  • surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    I can’t be bothered to that degree. I’ll watch for gelatin. And if I knew which thing to look for, I might avoid this as well. But I don’t care enough to go out of my way and learn.