Beetles!??

[Eveleaf]

From Business Week,
http://businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/aug2006/db20060807_789872.htm

Insider's Guide to Food Labels
Few people know that the food coloring listed as cochineal extract comes from female beetles. Food activists want to spread the word

When you dig into a strawberry Yoplait yogurt, take a moment to contemplate where the beautiful pink color comes from. Strawberries? Think again. It comes from crushed bugs. Specifically, from the female cochineal beetles and their eggs. And it's not just yogurt. The bugs are also used to give red coloring to Hershey (HSY) Good & Plenty candies, Tropicana grapefruit juice, and other common foods.

You won't find "crushed bugs" on the list of ingredients for any of these foods, however. Companies have a bit of latitude in describing exactly what they put in our food. Many larger companies, such as General Mills (GIS), the manufacturer of Yoplait, and Pepsi (PEP), the maker of Tropicana, identify the dye in their products as either carmine or cochineal extract. Still, many companies simply list "artificial color" on their ingredients list without giving any details.

Food activists are trying to change disclosure requirements. The Food & Drug Administration has received numerous complaints over the issue and is now in the process of considering a proposal to require color additives like the cochineal extract to be disclosed on the labels of all foods that use them. "Hopefully we'll see something by the end of the year," says Michael Jacobson, executive director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food advocacy group in Washington, D.C.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS. Jacobson says that consumers want to know what they're eating. Some are allergic to bug extract; others are vegetarians. "The food product should indicate that it comes from insects so that vegetarians at least can avoid the product," he says.

Carmine may be the least of food activists' worries. It is known to cause allergic reactions in just a small percentage of the population. Food producers sometimes add much more dangerous chemical additives to make their products look attractive (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/27/06, "Hershey: A Sweeter Bid").

Indeed, who would think that chicken, eggs, and salmon are often artificially enhanced to look more appetizing to consumers? The plump, juicy chicken sitting on the supermarket shelf is likely to have been fed canthaxanthin, a pigment added to chicken feed to enhance poultry's yellow color and make it look palatable. And egg-laying hens are also given a dye along with their feed, making egg yolks vary in color from light yellow all the way to bright orange.

IN THE PINK. Farmers can have their pick from a color chart that goes from the numbers 1 to 15, coinciding with colors from yellow to red. The yellow color comes from xanthophyll and carotenoids in the feed absorbed through the intestine, metabolized, and deposited in the egg yolk. In an article published last year, R. Scott Beyer, a poultry specialist from the Kansas State University, recommended different levels of xanthophylls, depending on what color of yolk is desired. He says 23 mg of xanthophyll per pound of feed results in a "medium orange" color.

The fresh, farm-raised salmon that shoppers buy also get their orange-red hue from eating the chemicals astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. Wild salmon are pink because they eat shrimp-like creatures called krill. But to achieve the same pink color, farmed salmon need chemicals, which are mixed with their feed. In the past couple of years, the European Union significantly reduced the level of such dyes that can be fed to salmon because of concerns that the dyes, at high levels, can affect people's eyesight.

Two years ago, in the U.S., Seattle law firm Smith & Lowney filed two class actions against grocers Kroger (KR) and Safeway (SWY) in Washington and California, contending that they should disclose that their salmon are dyed pink. Both lawsuits got thrown out of court. However, Knoll Lowney, a partner at the law firm, says that the lawsuits raised enough public awareness that many grocers voluntarily use "color added" labels to their salmon.

Still, Lowney says that such dyes are totally unnecessary. "This is a growing problem because the food companies are using more artificial means to enhance the appearance of the product and make it appear like something that it is not," he says. A walk down the grocery aisle for processed food is an eye opener—the bacon and ham get their red tint from sodium ascorbate, an antioxidant and color stabilizer, and the Betty Crocker icing gets its bright white color not from natural cream and egg whites but from titanium dioxide, a mineral that is also used in house paints. Betty Crocker manufacturer General Mills didn't return phone calls seeking comment.

[Veganforlife]

GOOD GRIEF!!! Thanks for the info!

[juliebove]

Yep. And it's not just foods. Many cosmetics are not vegan because of what they use for colarants.

[pinkglttr]

I am Muslim, and this is not allowed. We are not allowed to eat insects at all, so I always check for that ingredient. I don't believe that Jews are allowed to eat that either, so it is deceiving and unresponsible for those companies to do that.

I know vegetarians are in the minority and all, and that people think we are radicals and that "one little bug won't hurt" us, BUT Islam is the second largest world religion and Judaism is the third, so what have those companies to say to that? How disrespectful!

[Tirza]

I am Muslim, and this is not allowed. We are not allowed to eat insects at all, so I always check for that ingredient. I don't believe that Jews are allowed to eat that either, so it is deceiving and unresponsible for those companies to do that.

I know vegetarians are in the minority and all, and that people think we are radicals and that "one little bug won't hurt" us, BUT Islam is the second largest world religion and Judaism is the third, so what have those companies to say to that? How disrespectful!

There was another thread that addressed the question of bugs.

I don't really know much about Muslim dietary restrictions other than that they don't eat pork. I am Jewish and we really have to check produce for bugs as well.

One safe way of determining if a product has that red dye is to check to see if it has a Hechsher (a Hebrew symbol on the product label). This will tell you that all aspects of the production are checked into and supervised by a Jewish person trained in checking and following through right to the sources of every additive. Even the equipment can't have been touched by anything unkosher. Of course nothing is fool-proof, and now and then there are even dishonest business people who manage to slip something by even the most diligent supervision. But we do our best. That is one reason why Kosher food generally costs more, just like organic does.

By the way, you can use these symbols to determine if a product has any dairy in or not. If it does, it will generally have a "D" beside the symbol. A "DE" beside the symbol will mean that it was made on equipment that had previously had kosher dairy products manufactured on it, but does not contain any dairy or derivatives in the ingredients.

Here is one site that you can refer to for a look at the symbols:

http://www.mazornet.com/jewishcl/Kosher/kosherorgs.htm

I should mention the reason that there are so many Kosher symbols. There is one obvious reason; there is a wide spectrum of observance within Judaism, as in any religion. So some more Orthodox would not likely rely on the symbol from a Reform organization, for instance.

But the main reason other than that is that every city or district that has a significant population of Jews will often begin to manufacture certain products locally, and the slaughter houses and dairies are local, set they up their own local organization, based on the teachings and supervison of a certain Rabbi. They feel that they know him, they understand his stringencies, they trust him. Plus they want to give business to local people.

It is a little like the "100 Mile Rule" where some people advocate only eating foods produced within 100 miles of their home so they are more able to check on the way it is produced, so it is fresher when it gets to them without using unusual methods of preservation, and because some think that their body is best attuned to foods produced in the same climatic area in which they live.

[luckitri]

When I was a kid my father came home from the supermarket and described his exchange with the butcher - telling us that they put red dye in our meat also. US beef is aged (probably why it has always smelled rotten to me) so then they use chemicals and dyes to make it look healthy and red. I have read that in other countries they do not age their beef as we do (I still have family to care about) Well thanks pnkglttr and dougleg for your input - does it mean that Jewish and Muslim people should be able to shop in each others stores? I never knew of a Muslim meat market even when I lived in NY. The only thing I ever thought that I understood was that the Jewish people follow the food prohibitions listed in the Old Testament and that the Christians follow the New Testament where one of the (John? Matthew?) gospels shows about a dream from God permitting a much wider eating spectrum. I also read several sources that said that over the centuries the Jewish people avoided many illnesses due to their eating prohibitions and since this was prior to scientific understanding of germs and bugs and bacteria the fact that they did not get ill when the surrounding population did caused people to fear them and concoct negative stories in an attempt to make sense out of it. I wish I knew where my King James was! I would like to review the eating rules in the Old Testament!

Oh yeah, beetles! Don't they get turpentine from beetles also?

[druid]

holy hell.

Thanks for posting this, I will spread the word to the rest of the family that thinks raw is insane.

Always look for the OU symbol. Anyone that isnt Jewish, I recommend researching OU.org

[pinkglttr]

HARAM PRODUCTS:

A product is considered Haram if it comes into contact with or as a whole or in part contains:

Animals not slaughtered in a halal manner.

Pig, Dog, Donkey or Carnivores.

Dead animals due to stangulation. a blow to the head (as in clubbing), a headlong fall, natural causes (carrion), being gored or attacked by another animal.

Animals having protruding canine teeth such as monkeys, cats, and lions.

Amphibious animals such as frogs, crocodiles, and turtles.

Undesirable insects such as worms, flies, and cockroaches.

Birds or pray with talons such as owls, and eagles.

Alcohol, harmful substances, poisonous and intoxicationg plants or drinks.

Blood


Since I have not eaten meat since I have converted to Islam, I have not come across most of these issues. I do know that the meat must be killed by a person and not "mechanically separated". A Christian or Jew may kill the animal because that person believes in the collective God... so that seems to be permitted. I have heard of meat markets online, but I have never been to one personally or know of where one would be. Kosher tends to be within these restrictions (even more so), so I guess most Muslims follow kosher when they are questioning the item.

I tend not to follow the alcohol rule, only because the Qu'ran only says not to be intoxicated during prayer (which happens 5x a day, so we must be careful). Oh, and women do not pray while menstruating, so I guess next time of month I should take advantage of the opportunity :p only kidding!

[Pierre]

The vision I think you're thinking of is in Acts 10, and although Peter saw a sheet with unclean animals in it, the meaning was not that we can now eat them. The meaning Peter understood is that he should eat with Cornelius, a Roman, without prejudice. Cornelius was respected by Jews (I seem to remember that he helped build a synagogue, but I'm not sure where that's written) and knew what Jews eat.

As to kosher insects, they do exist. All are in the order Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, locusts, katydids), but not all Orthoptera are kosher; in particular, the mole cricket, which does not jump, is not. Beetles are Coleoptera and are not kosher.

Camelids are halal but not kosher, not that I've ever seen camel meat, but I have been next to alpacas.

[luckitri]

druid thanks for that link! I have much to learn. pinkglttr - I don't understand what you wrote about the "collective god" (the trinity) - is it meaning that Muslims need Christians or Jews to kill the animals for them? Also prohibited shellfish and bottom feeders? How about plants? Also I had always heard that desert travelers take a plug out of the camels' side and drink his fluids (blood) (from the hump?) and that would not be halal so was special exception made in old times for merchants traveling with their camels? And Pierre, you are impressive with your knowledge.

[pinkglttr]

What I meant by a "collective god"... I didn't mean multiple entities, but exactly the opposite. I meant the one god that is collectively worshipped by all three religions. Muslims do not follow the trinity or worship anyone but GOD.

What I meant is that, Muslims commonly accept Christians or Jews to do the slaughtering of animals (as long as the blood is drained a specific way). It is best if a Muslim does the slaughtering and says the right prayer, but it can be done by the others. Kosher is always Halal, so if a meat is kosher a Muslim may eat it because they know the blood has been drained properly and that certain precautions have been followed. The reason for this allowing of other religions to kill the animal is because all three religions follow similar scripture, prophets, etc. They are all monotheistic, except there is some gray area about the trinity (Muslims find it idolatrous to worship ANYTHING/ANYONE except GOD/ALLAH). Anyway, like I said, I have never had to deal with this personally since I don't eat meat, but that is what I understand of it.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Well, to me it's much easier to be a vegetarian. That way, I know nobody is going to scream bloody murder and bury the wrong fork that I used.

And a reminder that the Messiah came to fulfill the Old Testament law, not abolish it. Although we are saved by grace, we can still follow the law - it just doesn't save us - it honors the Creator.

[pinkglttr]

Jews and Muslims do not believe Jesus was the Messiah, but instead a prophet.

I'm not starting religious debate, but just reminding :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

Surprisingly there are Jews who do believe in Yeshua the Messiah.

I was born a Jew and will die a Jew, no denying that. All the first followers and believers were also Jewish.

[luckitri]

I have all in my ancestry - therefore was raised with none. I have never had my own people, community and don't feel comfortable in any. It is kind of a big hole in my heart, a longing.....decided to learn about spirituality with the religion that is most abundant in my area - Christianity. After quite a few years in it I have to say that I still am not comfortable with it nor with the behavior of the people but as I get older I find that I am more comfortable with myself but still not with others - at least I understand why I am not comfortable around the others anymore. (In my youth it was more just an instinct - now I can point out dangerous thought patterns that I don't want to fall into or be affiliated with.) A religious group took over the cemetary that my great-uncle founded. I tried to solidify my burial arrangements with them but we are not to be allowed to be buried in the spots that he saved for us because we are not conservative members of that religion. I should not be surprised because they also would not allow his sister who died a few short years after him. I just don't think it is right and it is just another close-to-home example of why I just can't get with an organized religion. I am prejudiced against anyone who is a separatist for any reason. I wish to know how our presence in death is going to damage the purity of the place or offend anyone other than the living. My uncle did not believe in God at all and said so on his deathbed - he just was big on his community - supporting, participating, providing. I have told my son to go and scatter my ashes there. He can be prosecuted for that but my whole life has been in honor of my uncle in many ways. I picked my husband because he was the most like him and named my son after him.
I have wanted to learn more of Judaism and Islam as they are also both in my ancestry but I find the website learning tedious and the people and places unaccepting and intimidating. Well I suppose that in these times they have their fears also. I kind of doubt that I will ever fit anywhere, be comfortable anywhere because of the mixed ancestry......I cannot forget my other ancestors and the other side of the story and the history seems truly to be in my blood, my every cell, it is alternately a wondrous or hideous thing. I have been pleased to have a relationship with GOD but the Christians would tell me that I have not been sincere enough or have not worked hard enough at it because I still have that big hole in my heart.

[pinkglttr]

Luckitri-

I come from a VERY similar place, when you speak of instinct and all. I understand the feeling of not belonging. I have RECENTLY (and I mean REALLY recently) converted to Islam and began my research. I do not know Arabic, I make up my own English prayers, and I try to follow all the rules I can. Religioustolerance.org has some great basic information. Honestly, I was so happy to finally find something that coincided with the beliefs in my heart. I never knew much about Islam, and once I researched, I just kept thinking "yes" "yes" "yeah, that's how I feel"!!!

I think it's important to find your place. I am stuck here in East Texas (very Christian conservative). My family does not know I am Muslim, they are Christian and I am not ready for the questions. I don't feel like I know enough to constantly defend it, I am still learning. Very few people out here know about my beliefs, as it is a very close-minded small town and I do not want interruption in my spiritual journey.

As far as attending Mosques, I do not think there is even one closeby, I do not know their rituals and rules, but faith does not have to equal COMMUNITY. To me, it is an individual relationship I have with God, but that's just me. I have a Buddhist friend here and we have kind of teamed up as understanding each other in this narrow-minded environment... haha!

I hope you find something that strikes a chord. You will, especially if you start doing some research. It can be time consuming, but also very rewarding to look through articles. There are so many belief systems out there, I am sure that if you expose yourself to them you will find it.