[CliffordK (OP)]

I just heard on the radio...

Starbucks serves Bug Juice Drinks.

http://fox4kc.com/2012/03/28/starbucks-to-serve-up-bug-juice/

Apparently some vegetarians have complained, and they are now changing to vegetable dyes.

[RD]

Apparently some vegetarians have complained, and they are now changing to vegetable dyes.

same with "smarties" (sweets/candy)...

Violet Smarties were previously dyed with cochineal, a derivative of the Cochineal insect which is made by crushing female Cochineal insects. In the UK, they are now dyed using red cabbage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smarties#Colours

[CliffordK (OP)]

Actually, I think it is a step forward to use "natural dyes", although not all biological products are necessarily any more healthy to consume than artificial ones.  A small insect is not on the top of my list of things that need protected.

I suppose the bigger question is whether the strawberry drinks actually need to be dyed.  If I was to make a strawberry smoothie at home, I would not think to add food coloring to make it look redder.

Why not just advertise "no colorants or dyes used in their products".