Got Beetles?

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Carmine, a beetle-based red colorant, is listed as an ingredient in these food products.
Some foods are being deliberately "bugged," and many consumers have been none the wiser. That may soon change. The federal Food and Drug Administration is considering requiring food and cosmetic manufacturers that use a red dye made from crushed beetles to list the ingredient on product labels. Currently, the coloring, identified as "carmine" or "cochineal extract," may appear as "artificial color," "E120," "color added," or "natural color." According to a summary of the FDA proposal, "The proposed rule responds to reports of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, to cochineal extract and carmine-containing food and cosmetics and would allow consumers who are allergic to these color additives to identify and thus avoid products that contain these color additives." According to FDA media spokesman Michael Herndon, the proposed labeling regulation stops short of forcing product manufacturers to list the dye as "insect-based." Truth In Labeling, Please And that is unfair to consumers, according to a local woman who asked to remain anonymous. The woman said she became aware of the beetle-based coloring when she read the ingredient label on a container of strawberry flavored yogurt purchased at a local market. Because she was not familiar with the term "carmine," she investigated, and was "disgusted" to learn that carmine is made from crushed beetle bodies. A spot check of various products at local markets found "carmine" listed as an ingredient in specific Dannon and Yoplait yogurt flavors as well as some Tropicana juice varieties. The absence of a "carmine" or "cochineal extract" listing does not mean that the ingredient is not in the product because at present, manufacturers are not required to specifically identify it. Beet It, Just Beet It A review of additional products that are red in color found that in many cases, the red hue is derived from sources including beet juice and red cabbage juice. The woman said that she believes those types of dye should be used in foods instead of carmine. The woman provided a copy of an e-mail communication she sent to Yoplait's consumer services division. "Please stop using carmine in your strawberry products," she wrote. "I recently purchased a lot of your yogurt and while eating a strawberry one, I read the ingredients. Not knowing what carmine is, I looked it up. I was disgusted to find it in your product. Use beet juice like you do in cherry and raspberry. I've returned all the strawberry for other flavors." The woman received a reply from the company. "Thank you for contacting Yoplait regarding carmine used in Yoplait yogurt. Carmine is a naturally derived red color extracted from the dried shells of the cochineal beetle. Carmine is an FDA approved ingredient and is commonly used in many foods such as ice cream, soft drinks, sweets, and candies. We appreciate the opportunity to share this information with you and we will forward your comments to the appropriate individuals." The presence of carmine may pose a problem for vegetarians and those who "keep kosher" as well as those with specific allergies. Public Comment Period Ends May 1 The FDA action is a result of several reports of severe allergic reactions allegedly involving the dye. And eight years ago, in 1998, the Center for Science in the Public Interest submitted a petition asking that the FDA act and require product manufacturers to list the ingredient on its labels. The CSPI has asked that manufacturers be made to include the phrase "insect-based" as well. A public comment period focused on the FDA proposal is currently active. Consumers may submit comments about carmine and its' inclusion on ingredient labels until May 1. Electronic submissions may be sent via a federal rulemaking portal: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi Written submissions may be faxed to 1-301-827-6870. Comments may be mailed to Division of Dockets Management [HFA-305], Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane Room 1061, Rockville, Maryland, 20852. All comments must include the agency name, a docket number and a regulatory information number. The docket number for the carmine proposal is "Docket No.1998P-0724" and the RIN number is "0910-AF12." Here is a link to the proposed rule: www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/98fr/E6-1104.htm Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant. 

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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