# I learned that salmon is dyed--disgusting--plus other fake food travesties that horrify you **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 25, 2012, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229 "2012-06-25T09:42:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/101 "2012-06-26T12:09:25Z")
> [@cckerberos](#): > > I’ve never been to a supermarket that didn’t have it, on either coast. > > Look for small bottles would be my advice. And look for the expensive ones! > [@Aeschines](#): > > Costco also has big bottles of tasty real maple syrup. > > I wonder if their olive oil is “real.” For any oil, syrup etc. I buy I just look and see if it says something like “100% olive oil” or if it says “a blend of oils with a picture of an olive on the label”. I don’t understand how people get “tricked” by these things. It’s like the [mockbuster thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=656457) It confuses me that people can get confused. > [@levdrakon](#): > > I don’t understand. Pacific Salmon turn red when they’re ready to spawn. The color comes from their diet. Why aren’t they red all the time? Does their diet change? I know everyone is talking about diet here but could the use of muscles be a factor, due to haemoglobin or something? I’d guess they have to move a lot more than usual to get to spawning sites. The only reason I ask is that it has an effect on land animals and is part of the reason why chicken breast is so pale compared to the breasts of birds that do plenty of flying. > [@Antigen](#): > > Sure, but you can wash them in the sink all you like and they’re not going to go white. Soak them in vodka with lots of sugar for a few months, though, and they’ll go pretty white. Also you’ll get a seriously delicious liqueur. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/102 "2012-06-26T12:18:57Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Here rules are pretty strict on labelling foods. I’ve become pretty good at noticing the small print that says it’s not “x” but “x-flavoured y”. And I normally check the ingredients if there’s doubt. I’d guess the rules are more relaxed in the US. They’re pretty strict here, too, I just think the majority of Americans are lacking in label reading skills and habits. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/103 "2012-06-26T12:27:15Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > As far as colored salmon - eh. I’m trying to retain some semblance of happiness that I’m not raping the oceans by eating wild stuff, so quit harshing my vibe over here. Actually, salmon farming can be quite detrimental to the ocean areas it is conducted in, and has also impacted wild populations. You can purchase wild-caught salmon from well regulated, sustainable fisheries - in other words, you wouldn’t be “raping” the oceans if you consumed it. > [@](#): > > It’s just like the pink slime stuff - I bet you (just like everyone else) ate ground beef happily when you didn’t know what was in there. Anyone freaking out over the pink slime better not be eating anything with gelatin in it, or sausage. The name is off-putting, but so long as it isn’t contaminated it’s no worse than a lot of other food products. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/104 "2012-06-26T12:40:41Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > And American “cheese”? On the label it says something like “Pasturized processed American cheese food product” or somesuch. Is it really cheese? What about Velveeta? This is a pet peeve of mine. There _really is_ American cheese. Honestly. You look for “pasteurized processed **cheese** ” on the label. Or ask for that at the deli. If it says “cheese food” it is not cheese, it’s something you feed to your pet cheese. Kraft Singles, for example, is that cheese food thing - best for melting onto cheese burgers, but not real cheese. Kraft _Deluxe_ Singles are actual cheese. Another clue is that if each slice needs to be individually wrapped it’s not cheese. If the slices retain their identity lying bare on top of each other it’s cheese. Part of the confusion is that the fake cheese is considerably cheaper than the real stuff, so people are familiar with the fake crap from far too many low-cost cheeseburgers and such. The packaging is also somewhat similar, which also leads to confusion. The cheese food/product is better for melting down into cheese sauce (basically, that’s what Velveeta is for in my opinion) but if you’re making a cheese sandwich or adding cheese to a cold sandwich I’d recommend the actual cheese. Granted, even genuine American Cheese isn’t some amazing artisinal product but it _really is cheese_, in flavor a bland, mild cheddar. Bottom line, read the label. Processed cheese is still cheese. Cheese product, cheese food, etc. are _not_ real cheese, although they are usually cheese-flavored. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/105 "2012-06-26T13:43:18Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > They’re pretty strict here, too, I just think the majority of Americans are lacking in label reading skills and habits. No, in many cases, our labels are misleading - sometimes deliberately. There are different standards for different kinds of foods, and some labeling rules are state, not federal. Sometimes it’s the fault of the reader (or non-reader) but not always. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/106 "2012-06-26T14:33:23Z")
TL/DR all these messages and links. can’t see them easily on my phone screen. i’m on the bus following the Krusty Ribwich. mmmm meaty tasting. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/107 "2012-06-26T14:35:22Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > For any oil, syrup etc. I buy I just look and see if it says something like “100% olive oil” or if it says “a blend of oils with a picture of an olive on the label”. I don’t understand how people get “tricked” by these things. It’s like the [mockbuster thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=656457) It confuses me that people can get confused. But the _label lies._ That’s the problem. There’s a good book on the subject called [Extra Virginity](http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/extra-virginity) that goes into it (I haven’t read it, but a few months ago the author was on NPR.) Now, granted, the author might be making everything up, but it seems like he really does know his stuff and did his research. From what he’s found, most large manufacturers (like Bertolli,) are lying to you. The bottle will say 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, first cold press, blah blah blah but it won’t be. If you’re lucky, it will at least be 100% olive oil, though unlikely to be true extra virgin. But some brands don’t even use 100% olive oil, It will be mixed with cheaper oils like canola or safflower, and maybe even dyed or had flavors added. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/108 "2012-06-26T14:54:49Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > But the _label lies._ That’s the problem. There’s a good book on the subject called [Extra Virginity](http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/extra-virginity) that goes into it (I haven’t read it, but a few months ago the author was on NPR.) When it comes to labeling as “100% Olive Oil,” though, I would presume and hope that label is illegal if there’s anything other than olive oil in it. It may still be happening, but I would hope it’s not legal. The “virginity” labeling is confusing, yes, but that’s about quality, not purity. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/109 "2012-06-26T15:40:23Z")
Well misleading and lying labels are different things. If it lies it’s probably illegal and, OK, I would get fooled by that. If it’s “olive oil” that has some other oil mixed in but the label makes no mention of it, that would definitely be illegal. But if it says “ **MAPLE** flavour **SYRUP** ”, which is normally what seems to catch people out, then it’s just a case of looking a bit closer. There are certain things like oils, syrups and fruit “juice” that are most likely to have unwanted extra ingredients in them so you just have to get used to that and pay extra attention to those things. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/110 "2012-06-26T16:04:41Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’ve been surprised how many containers of “ice cream” are actually labeled “frozen dairy dessert” - bad enough you can’t buy a half gallon of the stuff any more, but you may not be buying what you think you’re buying. :mad: Yeah, Breyers was on sale, so it was simply less expensive as opposed to expensive. I get my first spoonful and gah, it was the consistency of air-injected Cool Whip. I can’t stand that ‘frozen dairy dessert’ crap, it has an entirely different texture and feel. Ice cream is supposed to be dense, not have tiny air pockets. And it sure as hell shouldn’t melt into a froth. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/111 "2012-06-26T16:33:34Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > When it comes to labeling as “100% Olive Oil,” though, I would presume and hope that label is illegal if there’s anything other than olive oil in it. It may still be happening, but I would hope it’s not legal. Who is going to enforce that law? The olive oil police? I have in my hand a two liter bottle of Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil. On the shoulder of the bottle, near the use by date, are the codes for the country of origin; Italy, Greece, Spain and Tunisia, all in one bottle. Acoording to the label, Bertolli also sources oil from Morocco, Chile, Argentina and Australia. Oil brokers buy and sell huge tankers of the stuff, which is comingled and eventually sold to a bottler. How is an enforcement body supposed to keep track of it all, and how would they know if some cheap vegetable oil was added? ---
**Author:** ![Rhaegar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Rhaegar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhaegar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/112 "2012-06-26T17:04:17Z")
I think there was a thin recently about Starbucks using ground up beetles to give the strawberry color to their smoothies. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/113 "2012-06-26T17:10:23Z")
> [@Rhaegar](#): > > I think there was a thin recently about Starbucks using ground up beetles to give the strawberry color to their smoothies. Ugh. [Carmine dye](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmine)prepared from cochineal insects has been used for decades as a natural red food coloring in a variety of food products: > [@](#): > > To prepare carmine, the powdered scale insect bodies are boiled in [ammonia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia) or a [sodium carbonate](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate) solution, the insoluble matter is removed by filtering, and [alum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum) is added to the clear salt solution of carminic acid to precipitate the red [aluminium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium) salt, called “carmine lake” or “crimson lake.” So it is not like they just grind up bugs and dump them in your smoothie. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/114 "2012-06-26T17:18:25Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > I know everyone is talking about diet here but could the use of muscles be a factor, due to haemoglobin or something? I’d guess they have to move a lot more than usual to get to spawning sites. The only reason I ask is that it has an effect on land animals and is part of the reason why chicken breast is so pale compared to the breasts of birds that do plenty of flying. It’s confusing because most of the references I find will say “salmon get their coloration from crustaceons, shrimp etc. just like flamingos and this coloring is important for things like spawning.” So, they imply the spawning colors are caused by their diet but it seems they’re confusing skin coloration (which in fish can be all over the place) with the inner flesh color. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/115 "2012-06-26T18:10:43Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > I recall from years back (no cite but my own failing memory) that the artificial lemonade flavored drink mixes that came out in the '80s (such as Country Time)were based on an insecticide which didn’t pass testing. It didn’t kill enough bugs, but tasted lemon-y and was cheap and non-caloric. That sounds dangerously urban legendy. > [@Rhaegar](#): > > I think there was a thin recently about Starbucks using ground up beetles to give the strawberry color to their smoothies. Ugh. Not only that, but a group of scale insects are used to make lac, which is used as a dye and also traditionally in things the shel **lac**. Nowadays I believe it’s from other sources. This really shouldn’t bother people unless they’re strong vegans/vegetarians. In the sense that eating the highly processed extracts of insects should not be worse than gelatin. Also, Soylent Green is people. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/116 "2012-06-26T18:32:19Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > [Carmine dye](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmine)prepared from cochineal insects has been used for decades as a natural red food coloring in a variety of food products: Not to mention in various lipsticks, etc! Meat-eaters should not be freaking about a little extra “natural coloration” in their beverages. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/117 "2012-06-26T18:40:13Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > No, in many cases, our labels are misleading - sometimes deliberately. There are different standards for different kinds of foods, and some labeling rules are state, not federal. Sometimes it’s the fault of the reader (or non-reader) but not always. There are state food labeling laws but this isn’t a very accurate statement. Food labeling is governed by the FDA. The current method of listing the Nutrion Facts and the ingredient contents is mandated by the Nutrition Legislation and Enforcement Act of 1990. The NLEA specifically forbids states from creating different food labeling laws without permission from the FDA (a state may enact state-based legislation identical to NLEA). Food labeling is one of our more comprehensively applied national schemes. The FDA defines foodstuffs, including terms such as “cheese” and “ice cream” as well as marketing terms which suggest healthfulness such as “lite” or “low fat” or “reduced sodium.” ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/118 "2012-06-26T18:41:02Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I read where Perdue feeds their chicken flower petals-that make for a nice yellow chicken! > About the orange cheddar-it has always been dyed-either with marigold flowers or anatto (both are harmless vegetable colorings). I was told that marigolds are what gets fed to chickens, too. Why did anyone bother to change the color of cheddar, though? My understanding of red velvet cake is that the red color was to mask the pallid greyness of a cake made with cocoa rather than chocolate. That makes sense, but what’s wrong with milk colored cheese? I knew about wasabi and cinnamon, but I’m surprised about cantaloupe! ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/119 "2012-06-26T18:45:50Z")
> [@gwendee](#): > > My understanding of red velvet cake is that the red color was to mask the pallid greyness of a cake made with cocoa rather than chocolate. I’m pretty sure it’s just an easy way to use up all your leftover beetles. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229/120 "2012-06-26T18:57:46Z")
> [@Rhaegar](#): > > I think there was a thin recently about Starbucks using ground up beetles to give the strawberry color to their smoothies. Ugh. They burn their cheap-ass beans on purpose and people get worked up because they use natural colouring? I don’t want to live on this planet anymore. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-learned-that-salmon-is-dyed-disgusting-plus-other-fake-food-travesties-that-horrify-you/626229.md?page=7)