Scientists Make Red Food Dye From Potatoes, Not Bugs

Cochineal insects (shown crushed) are responsible for creating the red dye found in many products.

Would you rather eat bugs or plants?

If you picked the latter, you're in luck: Researchers are developing better vegetable-based alternatives to cochineal, a commonly used red food coloring made from crushed insects. One of the most promising candidates is the purple sweet potato.

Purple sweet potatoes are rich in pigments that offer an alternative to cochineal, a red food dye made from crushed insects.