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HEALTH & FITNESS | HEALTHY STUFF WE HEART

So you don't like beetle juice, huh?

 
Cochineal beetles have long been used to color food and beverages a sunny shade of reddish-pink. But just ‘cause it’s natural doesn’t mean consumers were quick to lap it up.

 

This past January, Starbucks launched an aggressive effort to move from artificial ingredients to all-natural. Beetles were part of the swap. Once a vegan barista discovered the switch-up, the Detroit Free Press reports, he alerted a vegan blogger and the news took over the ‘Net.

 

Starbucks has since announced that they are eliminating beetles not just from their strawberry-flavored drinks, like the tasty Strawberry Frappuccino, but they’re also removing it from the Raspberry Swirl Cake, Red Velvet Whoopie Pie and various other pink- and red-colored treats. It’s replacement? Lycopene.

 

Lycopene is a tomato-based extract that is, like the cochineal beetle, completely natural. Its origin, however, seems to be going a long way to soothe outraged coffee consumers. Vegans across the globe are rejoicing.

 

What do you think of this change, hunnies? Did you care about the beetles being used for coloring?
 
 

BY BRITTANY TAYLOR ON 4/20/2012 12:53:00 PM

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Mod
I was wondering... Is coffee ok to drink if you are a teenager? Will it really stunt your growth? And is it unhealthy? Thanks in advance!

 

Hey girl, it depends really. I don't believe that it will stunt your growth. I'm pretty sure that's just a rumor. Coffee can be unhealthy if you drink it in excess. So if you decide to, drink it every now and again and don't over do it with cream and sugar! Smile 


lauren r.

by Daddy'sgrl12 on 1/6/2013 12:03:39 PM

 
 

Yay!!! I'm vegetarian and luckily I've never had the strawberries and cream frapp. before... Thank gawd. We were actually discussing this in my religion class in May...

by topaz1116 on 9/8/2012 6:32:08 PM

 
 

i dont mind, u couldn't taste it at all so y even tell people, im not grossed out at all ive been told what's in a lot of foods that gross people out, im over it.

by tianaxbiddy on 7/8/2012 12:18:49 PM

 
 

The chat with the lady at the register:
Me: One strawberry flavored frap please
Lady: Oh, sure, here you go.
*handing me a frap*
*me, taking a sip*
Me: MMM, this is really good. What's in it?
Lady: Umm, *leaning towards my ear* a bug...
Me: WHAT?!?! A bug?!?!
Lady: Yes, a beetle.
Then I throw it at her
Me: Here, you can have your beetles back!
Lady: You forgot to pay!
Me: I'll pay when you get rid of the beetles!
Wouldn't you do the same???

by jrprodigy12 on 5/13/2012 7:37:30 PM

 
 

I'd be grossed out but I'd still eat it
I'm brave you buts!

by Firefox101 on 5/3/2012 1:05:39 AM

 
 

Ew bugs that's gross

by unicornninja on 4/30/2012 7:05:54 PM

 
 

uh, that is truly disgusting. I am a vegatarian and am thanking the lord that I didnt eat that. Besides how could they have killed innocent beetles( i bet they didn't evan use dead ones.)just for a coffee drink.
I hope you will join my club jewish girls.

by 1fashionista.gurl on 4/28/2012 9:50:27 AM

 
 

Oh, come on. They use these beetles in almost everything that's red/reddish-pink. They even use it in some lipsticks~!
~Ari

by Ari-chan on 4/27/2012 7:43:23 PM

 
 

Thank goodness they changed it back! I'm veganSmile. I have been avoiding anything red/pink from Starbucks for awhile.

by phoebeanne on 4/27/2012 4:14:06 PM

 
 

Thank goodness they changed it backSmile. I'm veganSmile

by phoebeanne on 4/27/2012 4:07:05 PM

 
 

I think it's a good change. I definitely care about beetles being used for coloring. It's gross.

by supersingershannon on 4/23/2012 8:21:23 PM

 
 

Do you want non artificial or vegan?. I choose the non artificial over the artificial every time.

by luckykel on 4/23/2012 4:18:15 PM

 
 

I don't drink Starbucks, so this doesn't bug me. However, if the coffee place I go to used beetles in their coffee, I would write a letter or email to them asking them to change that and use actual coffee beans. They don't do that though, so I don't have to worry about that.

by sissis1430 on 4/22/2012 7:24:09 PM

 
 

um beetles?! eeww! i have never bought anything from starbucks but i don't want to buy juice with beetle coloring!

by popstar*** on 4/21/2012 6:51:40 PM

 
 

I heard this on the radio.... Isn't it disgusting????

by amileofroses on 4/20/2012 8:32:19 PM

 
 

OMG !!! that makes me feel sick ! why would i wanna drink one of those again ?

by katie6781 on 4/20/2012 8:19:17 PM

 
 

Everyone CHILL!! If you know what a prickly pear cactus is, and you've seen that kind of cactus then you've probably seen this beetle before, but u just didn't know it. I call it cactus blood, bacause I crush them an then draw with it on my face. That might sound really gross, but it's not. Trust me.

by Foodiejr99 on 4/20/2012 7:48:13 PM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD!
sorry for posting so many comments but...i was looking at your other articles about brown periods and they all say it is a pre-period and that it is about to come. how do i know if i have my period or if this is just brown discharge and it is on its way??? (i got some brown/rusty red stuff in my pants yesterday and havent seen anymore since!)

 

Hey! the only way to really feel reassured is to talk to your doctor about all of these questions Smile To be honest, that's what we mods just have to tell you guys when you come to us with any health concerns. Since we're not doctors and we can't even see you face to face, it's not for us to tell you what's fine and what isn't. You know your body. Trust your instincts and talk to your doc! 


Helen S.

by bubbles3956 on 4/20/2012 7:19:34 PM

 
 

I go to starbucks every weekend almost and I always get the Frappachino With Strawberries and Cream! I never knew that for almost a year i've been drinking crushed beetles!

by olivia817 on 4/20/2012 7:17:10 PM

 
 



Thanks helen! also though, why isnt barely any blood coming????

 

hey! Well I'm no expert, but sometimes when you start out your period can be a bit irregular. here's something that might help: mark today's date on your calendar for next month and wait and see if it's the same next time. Every girl is different so as time goes on you'll learn what you can expect during your time of the month.  


Helen S.

by bubbles3956 on 4/20/2012 6:40:17 PM

 
 



Helen S.!!!!
so if i have my period why is so little blood coming and why is it brown? and how do i tell my mom?

 

 

hey! Sometimes it can be brown that's not too unusual. Just tell your mom you need to talk to her alone sometime and let her know that you got it. If you have any questions at all she and your doctor are your best resources. Don't be scared, I know you can do it. Just take a deep breath and talk it out with her. 


Helen S.

by bubbles3956 on 4/20/2012 6:30:55 PM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD! i need an answer soon!
so yesterday i think i got my period, it was brownish and a little rusty red. but for the rest of the day and that night i saw no more blood! and today i saw a little more but it was only brown! do i even have my period?

 

hey! Yes it sounds that way to me,but you should tell your mom so that you can be sure. good luck chica!  


Helen S.

by bubbles3956 on 4/20/2012 6:22:27 PM

 
 

beetles? what the heck!! lol i never knew that....eww sooo weird. and i've never had Starbucks so i guess it doesn't matter to me.

by Alykat18 on 4/20/2012 5:46:52 PM

 
 

I am vegetarian trying to go vegan so yes, I do care a lot about the beetles.

by Cutesweetie2017 on 4/20/2012 5:29:52 PM

 
 

I dont really care if they put beatles in it, i mean, it tastes good, its good for you, what else can you ask for?

by ColosalMascara on 4/20/2012 5:10:32 PM

 
 

I think it is disgusting that any animal products are used at all! I was disgusted when I heard about McDonalds and the beef in the fries!

by sofiespi on 4/20/2012 4:57:45 PM

 
 



Modmodmod
Um, how is it vegan? It still has cream in it!

 

hey! I think the vegan barista was just concerned with the use of beetles in any product, no one's claiming that the frappuccino  is vegan. Thanks for the question!


Helen S.

by EgirlH.97 on 4/20/2012 4:56:00 PM

 
 

Ummm...YEAH, I CARED! I'm not a vegan but it's really disgusting to think about a squirmy little beetle while eating or drinking something that's made out of them!

by glitterstars456 on 4/20/2012 4:54:31 PM

 
 

huh i never knew that. ok call me crazy, but I'VE NEVER HAD STARBUCKS! yup that's right! neva eva! i've wanted to try it, but i'm glad i didn't suck up beetle juice;) gross >_<

by myfatsquirrel on 4/20/2012 4:47:58 PM

 
 

i knew that stuff but i dont really care. COLORING IS USED IN LOADS OF FAST FOOD PRODUCTS LIKE BUNS AND DRESSINGS

by jster on 4/20/2012 4:20:31 PM

 
 

Ewww! I had one of those Strawberry Fraps once! ICK! XP

by kookies56 on 4/20/2012 4:09:47 PM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
oh wow! they use real beetles! that is very nasty. i love strawberry shakes! i didnt know i was eating bugs that could have various diseases. is this even healthy? do they just grind up the beetles or do they use beetle urine? im not veagen but im glad starbucks made the change. i just hope mcdonalds and burgerking change to because this is gross!!!! eeeewwwwwww. these bugs could have diseases that we dont know about that could harm us. should i report these restaurant like mcdonalds? 

 

Hey! I'm sure the beetles weren't directly health hazardous or the FDA would never let restaurants use them. I'm not sure how the coloring is made. Don't worry chica, you don't need to report anyone, but what you can do is keep following health news and stay informed about what you and your family are eating. ciao for now! 
Helen S.

by kyra678 on 4/20/2012 4:04:49 PM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD!!!
I got my first period today..and here's the problem: my friend made me promise to tell her when I get it bc she hasn't got hers yet, but how do I tell her that I got mine?? So that its not all awkward especially cuz she hasn't got hers yet? Should I do it over text or in person?? And one other thing, I've kinda been moody lately and now I know why, but I feel like I've been kind of rude to one of my friends...should I text her and say I'm sorry?? Or just leave it and be nice again on monday??? Thanks in advance! Smile

 

hey! You don't have to apologize to her for getting your period. That is something that you have no control over. Since you said you'd tell her, do it, in person or however you want to, but I don't think she'll be upset with you. She'll get hers eventually and it'll be fine. good luck!  


Helen S.

by honeycakes on 4/20/2012 4:04:32 PM

 
 

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by ostar21 on 4/20/2012 3:58:53 PM

 
 

They really use beatles? I never knew that. Nice to know...

by Gabriella123 on 4/20/2012 3:14:29 PM

 
 

EWWW is right! haha that is gross! Smile

by music23cutie on 4/20/2012 3:12:45 PM

 
 

i dont really care if there's beetle juice in it. its natural and we swallow bugs and spiders in our sleep. if anything beetles are probably good for us. so everyone stop whining and deal with it.

by opptop on 4/20/2012 3:10:06 PM

 
 

i really dont care about the beetle juice thing. its natural and we swallow spiders and bugs in our sleep anyway. im not a veagen so im chill about the issue.

by opptop on 4/20/2012 3:06:30 PM

 
 

Yes, they used real beetles. Yes, that is why I have never had anything red/pink from Starbucks. Yes, I will now try the Strawberry Frappuccino.

Yes, I am awesome Smile
Elizabeth

by snoodle9 on 4/20/2012 2:50:40 PM

 
 

To giggle_GIRLS
Mcdonals and Burger King use them. Most Fast food places do, oh and can you please join my club How to Get active, I don't have any members Frown

by rainyseattlegirl on 4/20/2012 2:45:44 PM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD!!!!!!
I applied for an internship at GL for the summer last month and I haven't heard from anyone about it. When would I hear from someone at GL?
Thank you Smile

 

hey! It might take a while. When I applied it took around two months to hear back. You should send a follow up email. good luck!  


Helen S.

by moosezoo13 on 4/20/2012 2:25:34 PM

 
 

EWWWWW!! Real beatles?

by giggle_girls on 4/20/2012 1:17:38 PM

 
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