Cochineal, an extract from beetles used as a food colouring, can cause
dangerous allergic reactions, according to James Baldwin of the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor. In the latestAnnals of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology(vol 79, p 415), Baldwin reports a case of the red dye from the
crushed exoskeleton of the cochineal beetle causing life-threatening
anaphylactic shock. The incident happened 18 months ago after a woman ate an ice
lolly coloured with the dye. Baldwin has since identified cochineal sensitivity
in two other patients and suggests that products containing the extract should
be clearly labelled.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Environment
First test of CO2 removal with green sand finds no harm to marine life
News
Space
SpaceX is about to launch tallest and most powerful rocket in history
News
Environment
Cleaning up air pollution could weaken vital AMOC ocean current
News
ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
CAR T-cell therapy bolstered by stiffening up cancer cells first
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Why autism pioneer Uta Frith wants to dismantle the spectrum
2
SpaceX is about to launch tallest and most powerful rocket in history
3
Neanderthals treated a dental cavity by drilling into the tooth
4
Rebooting stem cells builds aged muscles and assists injury recovery
5
What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong?
6
Where did the laws of physics come from? I think I've found the answer
7
Asteroid set to fly very close to Earth
8
Natural sunscreen found in fish eggs can be made by E. coli factories
9
New rules confirm public has a right to see how UK government uses AI
10
PCOS has been officially renamed PMOS, and it’s a momentous move
