I remember that after the earthquake in Fukushima that a lot of auto paints weren’t available for the next year, including the red ones. That was a long time ago, but maybe it’s a related?
It’s actually because Mexico is the worlds biggest manufacturer of red dye because the cochineal beetle is native to Mexico. I toured a cochineal factory in Oaxaca 2 years ago to see this. They have giant farms of cacti and these “necklaces” they hang over the cacti that are filmed with the Cochineal beetle egg. It grows than lays dozens of eggs on the cacti. The farm workers (its usually family owned) then crush up the eggs and they create a vibrant red. The red stuff is then used for dye, makeup, paint, candy, food and more.
PitoNoma on April 14th, 2018 at 13:04 UTC »
Also only dark green and pink/purple have Japanese writing next to the barcode
SmilingKnight80 on April 14th, 2018 at 14:28 UTC »
I remember that after the earthquake in Fukushima that a lot of auto paints weren’t available for the next year, including the red ones. That was a long time ago, but maybe it’s a related?
Earthquake causes paint shortage
liamwaldman on April 14th, 2018 at 14:52 UTC »
It’s actually because Mexico is the worlds biggest manufacturer of red dye because the cochineal beetle is native to Mexico. I toured a cochineal factory in Oaxaca 2 years ago to see this. They have giant farms of cacti and these “necklaces” they hang over the cacti that are filmed with the Cochineal beetle egg. It grows than lays dozens of eggs on the cacti. The farm workers (its usually family owned) then crush up the eggs and they create a vibrant red. The red stuff is then used for dye, makeup, paint, candy, food and more.