Cochineal Extract - Introduction & List of Products

Cochineal is a scale insect that lives on the plant Cacti. Female cochineal insects are used to produce scarlet, orange and red tints/colors. The process involves killing of the insects by extreme heat after which they are dried and converted to a cochineal dye/extract. It takes about 70,000 cochineals to make one pound of cochineal dye. Do I need to say that this extract is NOT vegetarian?

This extract is used in popular 'Orange & Berry Juices' to add color to the drink. Look out for 'Cochineal Extract' or 'Carmine' on the ingredient label.

The only good part about this ingredient is that FDA has issued a declaration (last updated on Jan 15, 2011) that manufacturers require to publish this ingredient on their new packaging labels. Check this link: http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ucm153038.htm
While manufacturers implement this on their print runs from now on, there may still be bottles with older packaging on the market.

I am working on populating this list further but below is what I currently have:

1. Tropicana Pure Premium - Orange Strawberry Banana Juice - Cochineal Extract
2. Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice - Carmine
3. Tropicana Strawberry Orange Juice - Carmine
4. Minute Maid Ruby Red Grapefruit - Cochineal Extract
5. Dole Diced Peaches in Strawberry Gel - Cochineal Extract
6. Dole Mixed Fruits in Black Berry Gel - Cochineal Extract
7. SoBe Lifewater Orange Tangerine - Cochineal Extract
8. SoBe Lifewater Pomegranate Cherry - Cochineal Extract
9. SoBe Lifewater Acai Fruit Punch - Cochineal Extract
10. SoBe Lifewater Mango Melon - Cochineal Extract
11. SoBe Lifewater Yumberry Pomegranate - Cochineal Extract