Cochineal (carmine)
Insect-derived red; can trigger allergic reactions.
- Category
- Colours
- Acceptable daily intake
- 2.5 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA)
- Vegan
- No
- Vegetarian
- No
What it is
E120, also known as Cochineal, Carmine, or Carminic Acid, is a natural red dye. Despite being natural, it is heavily scrutinised because it is derived from crushed scale insects (Dactylopius coccus) that live on cacti.
How it is used in food
Provides a deep, natural red color.
Commonly found in- Red fruit juices and strawberry-flavoured milk drinks
- Red gummy sweets and hard candies
- Yoghurts and fruit preparations
- Lipsticks and cosmetics
Health and safety
Documented to cause occasional, sometimes severe, allergic reactions.
E120 is considered very safe by global health authorities and does not carry the hyperactivity warnings associated with synthetic red dyes like E122 or E124. However, it can cause severe allergic reactions in a very small subset of the population.
Rare but severe allergic reactions
A small number of people are severely allergic to residual insect proteins in the dye, which can trigger anaphylaxis, asthma, or hives upon consumption or skin contact.
One of the few colorants with well-documented allergic potential.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Permitted, but the FDA requires it to be declared specifically as "carmine" or "cochineal extract" by name due to allergy risks. |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E120
- Colour index
- 75470
Also printed ascarmine · Carminic Acid · cochineal · Cochineal extract · Natural Red 4
Alternatives to this additive
- E162: Beetroot red — A vegan, plant-based natural red dye derived from beetroots.
- E163: Anthocyanins — Plant-derived pigments offering red, purple, and blue hues.
How it is made
The female cochineal insects are farmed, harvested, dried, and ground into a powder. The red pigment, carminic acid, is then extracted using water or alcohol and treated with aluminium or calcium salts to create a stable dye called carmine.
- Harvesting — Cochineal insects are collected from the prickly pear cacti they feed on.
- Drying and Crushing — The insects are dried in the sun or ovens and ground into a fine powder.
- Extraction — Carminic acid is extracted using hot water or alcohol.
- Laking — The extract is bound with aluminium salts to create the vivid and stable carmine pigment.
Worth knowing
Extracted from dried cochineal insects — roughly 70,000 insects go into 500 g of dye.
Conclusion
E120 is a safe, effective, and natural alternative to synthetic red dyes. Its main drawback is entirely dietary and ethical rather than toxicological—it is strictly unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians.
References
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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