Is Carmine Vegan? Cochineal (E120) and Where It Hides

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.

Products we've checked that contain carmine

Product	Where the carmine is
Nerds	The classic Grape & Strawberry box.
Tums Chewy Bites	Some berry flavors.
Airheads Xtremes Bites	Some versions.

Carmine also turns up in cosmetics, especially lipstick, blush and eyeshadow. See vegan vs cruelty-free for beauty labels.

The bottom line

Carmine comes from insects, so it isn't vegan. Look for E120, cochineal, carminic acid or natural red 4 on labels, especially on red and pink foods, drinks and cosmetics.

FAQ

How many insects does it take to make carmine?

Tens of thousands. Estimates commonly put it at around 70,000 dried insects for a pound of dye.

Is carmine vegetarian?

Most vegetarians avoid it because it comes from killed insects.

Do US labels have to list carmine?

Yes. Since January 2011 the FDA has required foods and cosmetics to name 'cochineal extract' or 'carmine' in the ingredient list.

Is Red 40 the same as carmine?

No. Red 40 is a synthetic dye with no animal ingredients. Some vegans avoid it because it has been tested on animals, but it's not made from insects. See is Red 40 vegan.

What is E120?

The EU and UK code for carmine, cochineal and carminic acid. If you see E120 on a label, the product contains insect-derived color.

Is carmine halal?

Opinions differ between certifiers. Many Muslim consumers avoid it, so halal-certified products often use other reds.

Why do companies still use carmine?

It's a stable, bright natural red that doesn't fade easily, and it lets products avoid synthetic dyes such as Red 40.

Is Carmine Vegan?