Starbucks getting bugs out of its operation

SEATTLE,WA—Starbucks will stop using an extract from crushed bugs to colour food and drink by the end of June.

Starbucks U.S. president Cliff Burrows made the announcement in a blog last week after the coffee chain was attacked by people opposed to the use of cochineal to give red colouring to the Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino and  Strawberry Banana Smoothie, as well as in four food items: Raspberry Swirl Cake, Birthday Cake Pop, Mini Donut with pink icing, amd Red Velvet Whoopie Pie.

The company will switch to a tomato product, lycopene, to colour the frappuccino and smoothie.

Decisions have not yet to been made on what will be done with the food items.

The use of cochineal was made public after a Starbucks barista posted the information to a vegetarian website in March.

The chain started using cochineal a few years ago as a part of a move to natural ingredients in its menu items.