Vegan Guilt Hits Hard: The Hidden Beetles in Your Tesco Express Snacks
Picture this: you’ve got a ten‑minute break between lectures, you duck into Tesco Express, grab a meal deal, and you’re back out before the queue snakes to the fridge. Easy. Cheap. Done.
But later, scrolling TikTok, it hits you: was that actually vegan?
For UK Gen Z students on a tight budget, this isn’t about “being extra.” It’s about ethics, honesty, and not accidentally eating something you’d never choose if you knew the truth.
The Hidden Problem: E120 (Yes, Actual Insects)
Let’s talk about E120, also known as carmine or cochineal. It’s a red food colouring made from crushed beetles. Literally.
Under retained EU food law in the UK, E120 is listed as an authorised food colour in Annex II, Part E. That means it’s legal to use, but here’s the catch: it is insect‑derived, which makes it a no‑go for anyone following a vegan diet.
The UK Food Standards Agency explains that additives like this must appear on labels either by name or E‑number (FSA guidance). Sounds simple, right? Until you’re speed‑reading tiny print in a Tesco Express aisle while someone sighs behind you.
And it’s not just an ethics issue. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed that cochineal colours can trigger IgE‑mediated allergic reactions, including asthma and even anaphylaxis, in sensitive individuals. Real‑world cases back this up, like a documented reaction to sweets containing E120 (Acero et al., Allergy).
Bottom line: E120 is legal, labelled, and still painfully easy to miss—especially when you’re broke, busy, and just need calories.
The Solution: Food Scan Genius (Built for Students Like You)
This is where Food Scan Genius steps in as your silent partner in the chiller aisle.
Instead of memorising every dodgy E‑number, you set your dietary profile once. Add E120 to your personal “avoid” list, scan the barcode, and get a straight answer before you pay.
Why Gen Z student users are switching to this app:
- No more guilt spirals after a rushed shop
- Works with cheap, everyday Tesco Express food—not just fancy vegan brands
- Saves time when you’ve got £4.50 and zero patience
If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll check later,” and then felt awful later—this fixes that.
| Manual Label Reading | Food Scan Genius |
|---|---|
| Squinting at E‑numbers under pressure | Instant vegan-safe verdict |
| Easy to miss insect-derived ingredients | E120 flagged automatically |
| Post‑purchase guilt | Ethical peace of mind |
| Wasted money on “not actually vegan” food | Spend only on food you align with |
“I’m skint and always in a rush. I scanned a cheap pink sweet from Tesco Express and found out it had E120. Deleted from my basket instantly. That app actually saved me money and my morals.”
—Aisha, 20, uni student in Manchester
Stop Guessing Ingredients
Scan barcodes instantly and see if they match your diet. Join 50,000+ users shopping with confidence.
Free to download • Secure & Private
