Carmine isn't vegan. It's a red pigment extracted from dried cochineal insects. It's sold as carmine, cochineal extract, carminic acid, natural red 4 or E120.
Carmine is one of the few food colors made from animals. If a red, pink or purple product says "natural color", carmine is worth checking for.
What carmine is made from
Cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus) live on prickly pear cactus, mainly in Peru and the Canary Islands. The females are collected, dried and crushed, and the red carminic acid inside them is extracted and processed into carmine. It's prized because it's a stable, bright red that doesn't fade in heat or light.
Other names for carmine
- Carmine or carmine color
- Cochineal or cochineal extract
- Carminic acid
- Natural red 4 or crimson lake
- E120 on European labels
US labels have had to name carmine or cochineal extract since January 5, 2011. Before then it could be hidden as "color added" or "artificial color".
Where carmine hides
| Product | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nerds | Not vegan | Grape & Strawberry box and Gummy Clusters. |
| Tums Chewy Bites | Not vegan | Assorted Berries and Berry Shake flavors. |
| Strawberry and raspberry yogurt | Check the label | A common use. |
| Red and pink candy and frosting | Check the label | |
| Fruit drinks and red sodas | Check the label | |
| Lipstick, blush, eyeshadow | Check the label | Very common in cosmetics. |
Plant-based reds that replace carmine
Beetroot red (E162), paprika extract (E160c), anthocyanins from purple carrot, grape or elderberry (E163) and lycopene from tomatoes all give red tones without insects. Synthetic dyes such as Red 40 are also animal-free, though some vegans avoid them because of animal testing.
FAQ
How many insects does it take to make carmine?
Is carmine vegetarian?
Do US labels have to list carmine?
Is Red 40 the same as carmine?
Keep checking
Sources and how we checked
We reviewed the ingredient information below in Oct 2026. Recipes change, so check the pack, especially if you have an allergy.
- FDA Law Blog: FDA requires label declaration of cochineal extract and carmine (2009)
- Federal Register: Listing of color additives, cochineal extract and carmine (2009)
- H-E-B: Nerds Grape & Strawberry ingredient list
Spotted a recipe change? Tell us and we'll re-check.