| Carmine and cochineal extract, starting January 2011, | | | | extract identified in product labels brings attention to |
| will have to be identified on labels for products in which | | | | the whole practice of listing ingredients on labels. As a |
| they are contained. Carmine and cochineal extract are | | | | consumer who picks up a product, the label should |
| used to create the red color in some foods, drinks and | | | | clearly identify what is being purchased. For example if |
| cosmetics. These extracts are derived from dried, | | | | purchasing a diet pill, the ingredient label should state |
| ground-up cochineal bugs and currently fall under the | | | | what exactly is in the capsules. Often times |
| umbrella of "color additives" on labels. | | | | companies market their products as pure, however |
| The FDA has made the change in labels mandatory in | | | | after evaluation of the label, it can be seen that there |
| two years, however, companies can voluntarily change | | | | are additional fillers and additives. A label that says |
| labels earlier if they so wish. The cause for this change | | | | pure hoodia, should only have hoodia listed under the |
| arises from the fact that there is a very small | | | | ingredient section, nothing else. |
| percentage of the population that can suffer from an | | | | While the FDA has made it virtually safe to buy food |
| allergic reaction to these extracts. In addition to | | | | and medicinal products, there are some loopholes that |
| potential allergy reactions, the FDA has reportedly also | | | | are not regulated as closely. These loopholes are |
| put the requirement into effect because of pressure | | | | present in the herbal segment of product availability. As |
| from the Center for Science in the Public Interest | | | | a consumer of herbal remedies, it is wise to research |
| (CSPI). | | | | the herb that you are purchasing and based on your |
| This pressure to make the carmine and cochineal | | | | own decision purchase products. |