What is the purple ink used to stamp meat made from?

The purple ink used to stamp meat is not actually ink. It's a food-grade dye called purple dye #2 (also known as FD&C Violet 2).

This dye is made from a synthetic organic compound and is approved for use in food by the FDA. It's designed to be safe for consumption, although it's not particularly flavorful.

Here's why it's used:

* Visibility: The vibrant purple color makes the stamp clearly visible on the meat, even when it's covered in packaging.

* Legibility: The dye allows for clear and easy reading of the stamp, which contains important information like inspection marks, dates, and other details.

* Durability: The dye adheres well to the meat surface, even after cooking, ensuring the stamp remains visible.

While the purple dye itself is not harmful, consuming it is not recommended. The purpose is to clearly identify the meat and not to be eaten.