Coles ingredient in Easter biscuits leaves mum totally 'disgusted'
The Aussie mum was so taken aback she shared her displeasure online – not realising how common it actually is.
A young mum has called Coles "disappointing" after she discovered an unexpected ingredient inside the supermarket's home brand Easter biscuits, branding it a "disgusting" addition to the holiday treat. But while it came as a rude surprise to her, clearly not everyone shares her dismay.
The shocked shopper explained online how she purchased the 15-pack Easter hunt cookies at her local store because her children begged her for them. It was only after she bought the $6.50 biscuits, allowed her children to eat some and returned home that she checked the ingredient list and spotted something unfamiliar.
"There's one word in the ingredients list that I've never heard of before so I Googled it," she said, revealing she had never come across the ingredient of cochineal.
"Seriously I am disgusted. Like I don't know why this has to be in these biscuits but a cochineal [is] crushed, dried bodies of female scaled insects... are you kidding me?"
She said the ingredient was "toxic" and ranted that neither her or her children would be eating the biscuits again. The mum also urged others to be mindful of what is inside the food they buy, pointing to the situation as a prime example of why parents should always check the ingredient list before buying.
"They're going straight in the bin," she said.
Cochineal is 'everywhere' in food
After sharing her personal revelation on social media, countless Aussies were confused by her apparent shock, with many commenting they are well aware what cochineal is, and that it's commonly used as a red dye in food available in supermarket aisles.
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"Cochineal is used in so many products," one wrote, while another simply explained "you and your kids have been consuming cochineal your whole lives".
Food Standards Australia New Zealand approved cochineal, extracted from crushed and dried insects, to be used as a natural food dye in foods. The ingredient is used in a wide variety of products including flavoured milks, lollies, desserts and much more.
Some of the most beloved and trusted Aussie brands use the ingredient such as Arnott's and Kirks soft drink manufacturer, meaning Tim Tams, Shapes and even a can of Pasito all include crushed insects. In fact, in 2022 confectionary giant and Nestlé subsidiary Allen's actually announced it would remove the ingredient from certain lollies to make them more vegan-friendly.
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