Free And For Me

Dannon yogurt-As consumers, often times, we trust products we purchase and consume are good for us and are made with quality ingredients.  Let’s take yogurt for example.  I have believed eating yogurt is good for me.  Do not get me wrong it is, but when I discovered  Dannon colored, yogurt is not colored from the fruit inside, but from smashed up bugs to create the colored extract I was so disgusted.  This is gross!!!

It is time to join forces with other consumers and encourage Dannon to remove the insect extract out of their yogurt.  Let’s take action by petitioning Dannon to stop using bugs as red dye.  As you sign the this petition share it with others to meet the 20,000 signature goal.

Recently, I found out, instead of relying entirely on strawberries, raspberries, cherries, or other healthy wholesome fruit, Dannon sometimes uses an extract made from the pulverized, dead bodies of cochineal insects to give its yogurts fruity red colors. It’s deceptive and gross. But for some, cochineal insects (usually labeled as carmine on food labels) can trigger a dangerous allergic reaction. Dannon should go skip the insect-extract and use more fruit to color its yogurt.  I do not believe this is the best yogurt nutrition.

This is not to speak negatively of Dannon, because Dannon has been one of the choice yogurts in my household.  My daughter and I joke about how it takes us so long to eat a cup of yogurt.  We eat small amounts at a time and this takes for ever, only because we do not like the texture of yogurt, but we eat it. However, my eight year old son, devourers it, by the spoonful.  I have said, that I wish I could eat yogurt like he does.  Now, I am upset with myself for feeding him smashed  up bugs.  As a parent I want the best for my children and after feeding them this product, I question my choices. Visions of my son enjoying is strawberry or cherry yogurt flash through my head. Oh dear….what have I done?  Clearly my family likes Dannon, especially my son, but I do not want to eat or feed my family bugs.  I do not think bugs are listed on the Dannon yogurt nutrition facts or Dannon yogurt nutrition label.

I am sure most consumers are not comfortable with eating bugs or feeding them to their innocent, children unknowingly.  Something needs to be done.  Here is an opportunity to petition Dannon to switch from using bugs to non-critter based natural colors. Please click here  to sign the petition.  Let your voice be heard.

If you recall, Starbucks used to use bugs in their red frappuccinos and smoothies, but switched to non-critter based natural colors after a similar petition.  Signing this petition will make a difference.

We want berries over bugs.

Disclosure: Compensation was received in exchange for review.