Food companies might advertise natural flavors, low calories, and vitamins A through Z, but they're much less likely to promote their use of fish bladders, sand, or human hair.
The cochineal beetle, for instance, is often found in red food dyes used to color everyday food and drink products, including Starbucks' Strawberry Frappuccinos and smoothies before the coffee chain phased it out following an uproar from the vegan community.
See what other unsavory ingredients are in some of your favorite snacks and beverages.
Laura Stampler originally wrote this article.
Between yogurt, maraschino cherries, jams, cakes, and tomato products, you've probably consumed at least one pound of red dye in your life. That means that you've also ingested at least 70,000 cochineal beetles, according to a petition on Change.org.
Vanilla and raspberry flavors might be enhanced by "castoreum," a mixture of the anal secretions and urine of beavers. It's also found in perfume. The FDA-approved product is categorized under "natural flavoring," so you won't know if you're eating it.
Isinglass, or dried fish bladder, gives beer its golden glow. The BBC did a whole segment on the substance, which is primarily used in British beers.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider