Actually, the red food coloring is added to imitate the natural redness that resulted from the use of pre-modern ingredients. Says Wikipedia;
Before the widespread use of additives (to prevent decay, taste changes, discoloration, etc.), food went bad under storage. Foods containing fats would go rancid, and spoilage could result in toxic compounds being formed.
So, ca. 1800, unless you had access to fresh food, was stored food a major health issue? I recall reading that early attempts at canning food caused many deaths-it is suspected that many of the Franklin Expedition (first use of canned foods for an arctic expedition) caused the deaths of many of the crewmembers (botulism poisoning).
Hmmm. Maggots, sharks.
Corn syrup is subsidized by the U.S. government and is exceptionally cheap. Honey is expensive.
That’s why.
More annoying than horrifying, but it’s really hard to just pop into a convenience store and get a good quality, normal drink (other than water). 99% of the stuff in the cooler is some ridiculous blend of corn syrup - caffeine - artificial flavors - neon colored paint.
Even the “plain juice” is often no good when you look at it - it’s either fake, or a blend of several incongruous juices spiked with an ungodly amount of sweetener.
I sympathize with the locavores out there; I’d prefer to just buy lemonade from some girl’s homemade stand instead of the crap in the store.