Dole Responds

In a previous post, I told you about writing an email to Dole:
I bought this grapefruit juice from behind the counter at a Dunkin Donuts restaurant. I was therefore unable to read the label, which as a vegetarian, I generally do. But I didn't even consider that grapefruit juice would have an animal ingredient. Imagine my surprise. I'm warning other vegetarians not to buy this product, and to carefully read labels of other juices. On general principle, I will not be buying any more Dole products. I feel deceived, and I don't see the point of using an animal-derived coloring--or for that matter, any coloring!--for juice. 100% juice?




Thank you for contacting us about Dole Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice. We are sorry
that the presence of carmine/cochineal causes concern. Cochineal is a natural,
not artificial, color. It is among the most stable natural colors and is used
by other companies, including juice and beverage processors. Cochineal insects
produce a stable red color which has been extracted and used in the making of
carmine for centuries. Humans have consumed this in food products for hundreds
of years, a similar idea to humans consuming honey produced by bees. This
natural coloring is used in a variety of food items such as yogurt, fruit
cocktail, stripe in port wine cheese, beverages, ice cream, baked goods,
confections, fruit fillings and puddings, children's chewable vitamins, as well
as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

We understand that consumers are concerned about various ingredients. We always
try to consider these concerns when developing our products. Each of the
ingredients in a product is selected carefully based upon the flavor, texture
and appearance that it provides. Nutrition, health concerns, and flavor
stability are also considered. Federal laws regarding the use and labeling of
all ingredients are followed carefully. If carmine is contained in a Dole
product, it will be listed in the ingredients.

Most Dole products do not contain carmine coloring. We would like you to have
the coupon we are sending via U.S. Mail with our compliments. Your comments are
important to us. We will report your concerns to the product development team.


Amy
Dole Consumer Response

About bugs in grapefruit juice

The point really is

IT'S GRAPEFRUIT JUICE

Grapefruit juice is fine the color that it is.

I know that carmine won't hurt me. I didn't become a vegatarian because I felt that eating animals was physically damaging--Christ you should see how many eggs and how much cheese I eat, not to mention all the processed soy products, and alcoholic beverages I force my poor body to metabolize. Adding insects to my diet would be a nutritional improvement, if anything.

It's a matter of principle, and since businesses have no principles, I honestly didn't expect an intelligent response--I'm a little shocked I got any response at all. If it were legal to put human urine into Grapefruit Juice (or cola, or hamburgers, or kill babies to make cars--I don't want to single Dole out, they all lack any principle, beyond making profit) the manufacturers would only worry about how to label it without anyone figuring it out.

All food restrictions based on principle are irrational--what if I'd said I was an Orthodox Jew in my letter? Would Dole have reminded me that carmine isn't harmful? Who cares? It violates my covenant with God! Are you trying to send me to hell with your grapefruit juice?!

Okay, lots of complaining for no good reason, I know. My solution, as stated before: don't buy any red drinks. don't buy anything from Dole (maybe I'll use thier coupon, maybe not). I try not to buy any soft drinks that come in their own container anyway (since that's the form of litter I most often encounter).

Where's Rich Mackin when I need him?

In other complaints

This rain is spoiling my day off plans for photographing more urban species. The mid-day news drone is telling me that it should be ending in the afternoon. Hopefully, before the sun goes down!

If it were spring or summer, the rain wouldn't be a problem: I have to profile leopard slugs and european snails at some point!

running theme?

Found lots of these guys in a head of Romaine. I don't know enough to tell if they are aphids or flies.

White birch round-up

More pictures of your favorite white tree.



( Read more... )

365 Urban Species. #034: Lettuce Aphid

Urban species #034: Lettuce aphid Nasonovia ribis-nigri

I discovered this relative newcomer to North America in a head of Romaine lettuce earlier this week. It grew up in a hothouse, or a field in California or perhaps Mexico. The lettuce aphid is thought to be native to Europe. It is already widespread in the U.S., and quarantined from import to Japan, and farmers in Australia are nervous about it as well. A quick search of its scientific name turns up worried studies of insecticide-resistance (the lettuce this individual was found on, was not organic, that is, treated with pesticide). Aphid population growth is rapid, and includes sexual and asexual reproduction.

There are over a thousand species of aphids in North America, and nearly every plant species is fed upon by at least one aphid species.

( context )