Tag: Bug ingredients

Before 2009, Skittles contained the insect-derived red dye carmine, known as E120. The pressing question for many candy lovers today is: Do Skittles still use bugs for their vibrant colors or glossy finish? Fortunately for vegans and vegetarians, the answer is no, though a look at their past sheds light on a common, and sometimes controversial, food additive.

Did you know that the glossy coating on many popular candies, including classic candy corn, is derived from insects? This substance, known as confectioner's glaze, reveals an interesting—and for some, alarming—fact about what is the bug ingredient in candy corn and other sweet treats you may eat on a standard nutrition diet. While a common food additive, its origin has prompted many to seek out alternatives.

While the thought of eating insects is foreign to many, bug-derived ingredients have been used for centuries, with the Aztecs using crushed cochineal bugs to create vibrant red dyes. Today, you might unknowingly be consuming bug-derived additives like carmine or shellac, which are often hidden behind technical names in the ingredients list.