Tag: Crushed beetles

Many red and pink colored candies, yogurts, and beverages are colored using carmine, a natural red dye made from crushed insects. So, to answer the question, 'what food contains crushed beetles?', one must look beyond the initial ingredient lists and understand the origins of common additives like carmine (cochineal extract) and shellac (confectioner's glaze).

The rumor of crushed beetles in candy is centuries old, stemming from the Aztec use of cochineal for dye. But **do Smarties have crushed beetles in them**? The definitive answer depends on which specific Smarties you are talking about—American or international—and their ingredient formulation today.