This really gives me the Heeby Jibbies

This really gives me the Heeby Jibbies - Ughhhhh!

Rat droppings et al....

Published on March 9, 2007 By foreverserenity In Current Events

In one of my recent blog articles about the Peanut Butter scare, Mason commented that the FDA allowed rat droppings in Peanut Butter and I responded that I didn't even want to think about it! Well, I was looking at the referrals that happened from that article, Link and one of them lead to several information about what the FDA do allow as acceptable if the food gets droppings and such when they are being prepared by these food manufacturers and food processors!

I'm not trying to make a big deal about it, cause let's face it, our immune system is tested everytime we go to a restaurant to eat or each time we order fast food, however, just the thought of having rat droppings in my peanut butter.....[shudders] uggghhhh!

Do these things have to be a part of our food make up though? Really.....I found the attached information I'm posting below interesting....

How do you feel about unknowingly consuming products that contain crushed beetles?

6 Popular Foods That Are Made With Bugs

We don't want to alarm you, but may you have eaten beetles with breakfast this morning. At least six popular foods and drinks are made with coloring derived from crushed female cochineal beetles. You may not find that on the ingredient list--yet. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Food and Drug Administration has been persuaded by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocate group, to propose a requirement that companies disclose when a food contains dried bug carcasses.

Six foods that contain crushed female cochineal beetles:
Good & Plenty candy
Dannon Fruit on the Bottom Boysenberry yogurt
Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit
Yoplait Thick and Creamy Low-Fat Strawberry yogurt
Tropicana Orange Strawberry Banana Juice
SoBe Courage Cherry Citrus Drink

Manmade colorings have to be identified by name on ingredient labels, but that's not so with naturally-occurring colors. So instead of listing "insects" on the label, the companies typically use "color added" or "artificial color." The FDA proposal would require them to use the words "carmine" (it's vivid red) and "cochineal" (it's bright orange). The Journal reports that some companies, notably Dannon, Tropicana and Yoplait, are already listing these on their labels, while others are taking steps to remove the beetle crushings from their products. Still, most people won't have a clue what "carmine" and "cochineal" mean.

I found it on the attached link. Link

It's just amazing to know this bit of news. I have enjoyed eating all of the items listed in that discussion! I really don't remember chewing on any beetle parts are anything else, but who knows, perhaps one of those chewy strawberrys in the Yoplait Yogurt might just have been!lol!

I will continue to by Yoplait Yogurt though. I do enjoy eating it that much, as I will continue to eat peanut butter. Call it love of the food I like or I'm just a glutton for punishment!

I just really want the FDA to be more responsible as I also wish these food manufacturers would be too, and find a better and healthier way to prepare the foods we have to and want to eat!

Comments

Texas Wahine

on Mar 09, 2007

The idea of eating bugs doesn't bother me too much, but the droppings totally does! Yuck!

Then again, I went to the store with baby poop on me the other day, so who am I to judge? LOL.

foreverserenity

on Mar 09, 2007

Then again, I went to the store with baby poop on me the other day, so who am I to judge?

! You're so funny!

What gives me the squirmies are those national geo specials that show us all the microscopic critters that live either in, on, or around us

I know, I've seen some of those shows!

Did you know that the average mattress gains about two pounds per year from collecting the dead bodies and excretions of dust mites?

I had forgotten this one...thx for the reminder!

Think about that when you go to bed tonight....bwahahahah!

shudderss........uggghhh!

Dr Guy

on Mar 09, 2007

IN some parts of the world, bugs are considered a delicacy.

Chocolate covered grasshoppers anyone?

Locamama

on Mar 09, 2007

My friend had to take the food sanitation course for restaurant workers. She said if you took it you would never eat out again. It's amazing what amount of grossness is permissable.

redbandana

on Mar 09, 2007

I think if we really knew all the behind the scenes tidbits about how we get our food we would be a lot more squeamish. I know a guy that hasn't touched chicken for 20 years after working in a packing plant. I try not to think too hard about it myself.

But I am with Tex, the bugs don't bother me like the droppings do.

ParaTed2k

on Mar 09, 2007

I guess I join most the crowd here when they say bugs wouldn't bother them. It reminds me of the comic of an American getting sick over watching the "natives" eating bugs... "Why can't they eat normal food like hot dogs!" :~d

dynamaso

on Mar 09, 2007

The way I look at it is it hasn't done me any harm so far, so there is nothing to worry about. Heck, the Aboriginies survive on grubs and bugs and all sorts of 'weird' bush tucker. I have to say it doesn't bother me although the less I know, the better.

Dr Guy

on Mar 09, 2007

although the less I know, the better.

IN the words of Benjamin "Bimbo"!

foreverserenity

on Mar 09, 2007

Chocolate covered grasshoppers anyone?

I've heard of these.

It's amazing what amount of grossness is permissable.

I can imagine! Wait, I don't want to!

I know a guy that hasn't touched chicken for 20 years after working in a packing plant. I try not to think too hard about it myself.

Thanks for not repeating it!

! Although, enquiring minds want to know....wait, forget it!

It reminds me of the comic of an American getting sick over watching the "natives" eating bugs... "Why can't they eat normal food like hot dogs!" :~d

! That's funny! We know what's in those sausages...and yes, I eat them too!

I have to say it doesn't bother me although the less I know, the better.

I second that!

IN the words of Benjamin "Bimbo"!

Who?

Dr Guy

on Mar 10, 2007

IN the words of Benjamin "Bimbo"!

Who?

Short Circuit. The Indian scientist that always got the english idioms wrong.

MasonM

on Mar 10, 2007

I had assumed that everyone knew that certain food colorings are made from beetles as it's not exactly a trade secret.

It does bother me that they are allowed to use terms like "natural flavoring" on food packages as this doesn't tell you a damn thing about what you're easting. Dog crap could be called "natural flavoring" and you wouldn't know the difference. I believe that they should be required to actually name the ingredients instead of hiding them under catch phrases.

Dr Guy

on Mar 10, 2007

Dog crap could be called "natural flavoring" and you wouldn't know the difference

Obviously, you never tasted my mother's cooking.

foreverserenity

on Mar 11, 2007

Short Circuit. The Indian scientist that always got the english idioms wrong.

"Aahhh..." she said with a blank look...lol..thx for the explanation Doc!

I had assumed that everyone knew that certain food colorings are made from beetles as it's not exactly a trade secret.

I may have read that at one point somewhere but forgot about it!

Dog crap could be called "natural flavoring" and you wouldn't know the difference

Obviously, you never tasted my mother's cooking.

LOL! Your poor mom! Or should that be poor you?!LOL!

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