In this blog post, we’ll discuss the health hazards of cochineal extract and the need to take action.

Cochineal, a natural red colorant

Which strawberry milk do people prefer: pink or white strawberry milk in a clear cup? Most people will reach for the pinkish cup. This visual effect is appetizing, and color plays an integral role in our food choices. After all, we consume food coloring every day without even realizing it.
There are two main types of colors used in food: natural and synthetic. Natural colors are those found in natural plants and animals or produced by microorganisms, while synthetic colors are those that are artificially created to give a specific color. Synthetic colors have been widely used because they are deep, stable, and inexpensive, but their use has recently been regulated as more and more studies have revealed the harmful effects of synthetic colors on the human body. In addition, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about health and food safety, and there is a strong preference for natural colors that are derived from natural sources rather than chemically produced synthetic colors.
In the case of the pink strawberry milk in the first question, most of the products on the market use natural colors rather than synthetic colors to produce the red color. One such natural red color is cochineal extract. It is used in strawberry milk, strawberry-flavored snacks, strawberry-flavored candy, tomato ketchup, crab meat, ham, and most other foods that require red color.

Cochineal derived from soft worms

So where does this red natural pigment come from? It comes from an insect called the soft worm. This insect is parasitic on various cacti, including the cochineal cactus in Mexico and Peru, and its female fat cells contain large amounts of the red substance. Cochineal extract pigment is a concentrate obtained by bulk drying and extracting collected female soft worms with a water-alcohol solution. Dried soft worms are exported around the world from Central America, where they are harvested, and because they are easy to collect, they are very inexpensive. Cochineal-derived color, which has been allowed for domestic food use since 1993, is also obtained from imported dried soft worms. The imported dried soft worms are then extracted and purified by domestic processors, and emulsifiers, diluents, and stabilizers are added to preserve the quality. The resulting cochineal extract is then added to food products to give them a red color.

Side effects of cochineal extract color

So, since cochineal extract is a natural color, is it safe for humans to consume? The answer is no. Cochineal extract is known to cause allergic reactions that can lead to asthma, hives, rashes, vomiting, and breathing difficulties, and there are two possible causes. One is a specific protein element that is extracted from the female soft-shelled worms during the process of obtaining cochineal extract, and sensitivity to this element may cause allergic reactions in some people. The other is chemicals such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, and diluents that are added during processing to preserve quality, which can cause harmful reactions in humans.
Although the exact cause of this has not been determined, adverse reactions to cochineal-derived colors have been reported around the world. For example, a Massachusetts hospital in the U.S. reported an outbreak of acute growth infections caused by cochineal-derived colors, a one-year-old child in Canada developed a skin rash after eating yogurt containing cochineal-derived colors, and a woman in Japan suffered allergies and shock after drinking strawberry juice.
Studies have also shown that cochineal-derived colors can cause allergic rashes and shock in some people. Based on these comprehensive cases and studies, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded in 2009 that cochineal color is a “probable allergen”.

What can be done about the side effects of cochineal extract?

In summary, there has been a lack of governmental awareness, regulation, and information on the adverse effects of cochineal extract in Korea. There is a lack of accurate testing and regulation of food products that fail to mention the adverse effects of cochineal extracted color, and there is no one to hold consumers accountable if they develop adverse symptoms.
In the U.S., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prepared and submitted legislation to require labeling of cochineal-derived colors in light of cases and studies showing the harmful effects of cochineal-derived colors. In Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s Medicinal Food Division, which is the country’s equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration, is attempting to analyze cases of adverse reactions to cochineal extract to ensure consumer safety.
The risks of cochineal-derived colors should be further disclosed on food labels. Warnings such as allergic reactions and other adverse reactions should be listed separately, and such labeling should be mandatory. There should also be an immediate system in place for consumers to report adverse reactions and respond quickly.
In addition to government action, there is also a need for consumer awareness and behavior change to prevent adverse effects of cochineal extract. Consumers should stop believing that cochineal-derived colors are safe because they are natural and refrain from consuming foods containing cochineal-derived colors. This includes strawberry milk, strawberry-flavored snacks, strawberry-flavored candy, tomato ketchup, crab meat, ham, and most other products that require red coloring. Of particular concern is the fact that cochineal extract, which gives red color, is often found in pink, “strawberry-flavored” foods that children prefer. One option is to look for foods that use tomato and other plant-based colors, rather than cochineal-derived pigments, or foods that are dye-free. Another option is to cook with plant-based foods like strawberries and tomatoes at home, even if it’s a hassle.