A Maine hot dog company is changing the way it gives its famous red hot dogs their signature color.
W.A. Bean & Sons, known for its bright red “Red Snapper” hot dogs, is replacing Red Dye 3 with carmine, a natural red coloring made from cochineal insects.
The change has attracted attention online, where some posts described the company as putting “bugs” into hot dogs. That description is misleading. The company is not adding whole insects to the product. Carmine is a food coloring produced from cochineal insects and is widely used in food, cosmetics and other products.
Why the Change Is Happening
The move comes as Red Dye 3 is being phased out of food products in the United States.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set deadlines for manufacturers to stop using the synthetic dye in food and certain medications. As a result, food producers are looking for alternative colorings.
W.A. Bean & Sons chose carmine as a replacement because it can produce the strong red color associated with the company’s traditional hot dogs.
What Is Carmine?
Carmine, also known as cochineal extract, is a red coloring made from insects known as cochineals.
The pigment has been used for centuries and is approved by the FDA for use in food. Products containing it must list “carmine” or “cochineal extract” on the ingredient label.
The company says the change affects the coloring, not the flavor or texture of the hot dogs.
New Version Already Reaching Stores
The reformulated hot dogs have already begun appearing in stores in Maine and other parts of New England.
For customers, the most visible difference may be on the ingredient label rather than in the appearance of the product itself.
The change is part of a broader shift across the food industry as manufacturers reformulate products following the phaseout of Red Dye 3.
Sources: Boston.com, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
By NJ RADAR Team