Do you ever really know what’s in the food you order?
Maybe not, especially now that some people are finding out their favorite Starbucks concoction actually contains crushed-up insects.
In a statement, the company revealed their Strawberry Frappuccino uses the crushed up bodies of bugs to gain its pink color.
“At Starbucks, we strive to carry products that meet a variety of dietary lifestyles and needs,” the statement read. “While the strawberry base isn’t a vegan product, it helps us move away from artificial dyes.”
The company, and the USDA, insists the drink is safe and that they use bugs to limit their use of artificial ingredients.
The company is using cochineal extract, which comes from ground-up cochineal bugs native to Mexico and South America.
The ingredient has been used for ages to help liven up the dull hues of jams, meats, cheese, baked goods, alcoholic drinks and more.
