from therealfoodchannel.com: In April, 2012, beverage giant Starbucks came under fire for using a red dye–carmine, made from crushed cochineal beetles–to color their strawberry flavored drinks. They have since changed to a tomato-based food coloring. Carmine is used in a wide range of foods and cosmetics. While you may find the use of insects unappetizing, is there any question about the safety of the beetle-based dye? As Dr. Greger says, here is some information that might make you want to stay with listening to the Beetles instead of eating them.