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To check a food label for insect-derived additives, start with the ingredient list. In the United States, look for carmine or cochineal extract. In the European Union, look for E 120 or names such as carminic acid or carmine, with the additive’s function. Shellac or E 904 is another insect-derived additive, but its permitted uses depend on the market and food category.
How to check a food label for carmine
- Find the ingredient list. Do not rely on a product’s color, front-of-package description, or general marketing language to identify its source.
- Use the naming convention for the market where the food is sold. In the United States, scan for “carmine” or “cochineal extract.” In the EU, scan for “E 120,” “carminic acid,” or “carmine,” and note the stated additive function.
- Check for shellac separately. “Shellac” or “E 904” identifies a different insect-derived additive where it is authorized.
What the names mean
Carmine and cochineal extract
Carmine and cochineal extract are color additives made from cochineal insects. The EU specification for E 120 describes carminic acid as obtained from extracts of dried bodies of female Dactylopius coccus. It also notes that commercial products may contain proteinaceous material from the source insect; that does not establish the composition of any particular finished food. See the European Commission’s E 120 specification in Regulation (EU) 2018/1472.
Shellac
Shellac is not another name for carmine. EU law defines it as purified and bleached lac, a resinous secretion of the lac insect Laccifer (Tachardia) lacca. A 2026 amendment authorizes E 904 for foods for special medical purposes in tablet and coated-tablet forms; that specific authorization does not establish unrestricted use in all foods. See Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/189.
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| Market | What to look for | Where to look | Labeling basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | “Carmine” or “cochineal extract” | Ingredient statement | The FDA requires the respective common or usual name when either additive is present. The FDA guide gives examples including butter, cheese, and ice cream. |
| European Union | “E 120,” “carminic acid,” or “carmine,” with the additive’s function | Ingredients list | EU additive labeling identifies the function and the additive by name or E number. |
For the U.S. rule, see the FDA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide on cochineal extract and carmine. The FDA’s final rule took effect on January 5, 2011. For EU labeling conventions, see the European Food Safety Authority’s food additives overview and its food colours overview.
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What a label can—and cannot—tell you
In the United States, a generic “color added” declaration is not a substitute for naming carmine or cochineal extract. FDA guidance requires the applicable name in the ingredient statement. That requirement differs from the treatment of many other color additives exempt from certification.
The FDA identifies carmine and cochineal extract as allergenic substances that must be declared by name. This is a labeling requirement, not a claim that everyone reacts or a measure of how common reactions are. FDA’s food allergy information does not provide an individual diagnosis or risk estimate. If you are checking because of a possible allergy, use the actual package and consult an appropriate medical professional.
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Limits of ingredient-name searches
These examples are not a worldwide inventory of insect-derived ingredients or a complete guide to every country’s rules. Names and requirements vary by market, so check the ingredient list using the naming convention that applies where the product is sold. Do not infer insect origin from a similar-sounding term: the available regulatory sources do not establish that E 124 is insect-derived, and “indigo carmine” is not the same ingredient as insect-derived carmine.
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