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The ingredient is carmine, also called cochineal extract: a red color additive derived from insects. In the United States, a food that contains it must list “carmine” or “cochineal extract” in its ingredient statement. That makes checking the package—not judging a food by its color—the reliable way to find out whether a particular product contains it.
What is carmine?
Carmine and cochineal extract are names for insect-derived color additives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes cochineal extract and its lake, carmine, as derived from an insect. They are used as color additives; the fact that they are exempt from batch certification does not mean they are unregulated. Color additives remain subject to applicable approval, identity, purity, and use requirements. FDA explains color additives for consumers.
The European Union’s specification for E 120 names “Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines.” It describes carmine as the hydrated aluminium chelate of carminic acid and notes that commercial products may also contain proteinaceous material from the source insect. The composition of a particular preparation can vary. The EU food-additives regulation sets out the E 120 designation and specification.
How can you tell whether a food contains it?
In the United States
Look in the ingredient statement for either carmine or cochineal extract. FDA requires foods containing these additives to declare them by name; they cannot be identified only by a generic phrase such as “Artificial Color” or “Color Added.” FDA’s labeling requirement took effect on January 5, 2011. The 2009 FDA final rule describes the requirement and effective date.
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In the European Union
The corresponding additive designation is E 120. The EU regulation lists it as “Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines.” Naming rules differ by jurisdiction, so do not assume that U.S. wording applies on every country’s packaging.
Ingredients can change between formulations, and the available official information does not establish which current brands or foods contain carmine. For a specific item, use its current package label rather than inferring ingredients from a red or pink color.
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Is carmine an allergen or a safety concern?
FDA says carmine and cochineal extract may cause allergic reactions in some people. The agency required name declaration after reports of severe reactions, including anaphylaxis. They are not among the major food allergens under U.S. law, but their potential to cause reactions is why they must be named on the label. The available cited sources do not provide a numerical estimate of how common these reactions are. FDA’s consumer information on food allergies discusses the distinction between major allergens and other substances that can cause reactions.
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Why someone might avoid it
People may choose to avoid carmine for different reasons. Someone with a known sensitivity may need to follow medical advice and check labels for the named ingredient. Someone avoiding animal-derived ingredients for personal or dietary reasons may also choose to avoid it because it comes from insects. Those are distinct considerations; an ingredient’s insect origin does not by itself mean that it causes an allergic reaction in everyone.
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