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E120ColorantLow concern
Cochineal
In plain words
The short version
A natural red dye extracted from cochineal insects, giving rich crimson and pink tones.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight for carmine, set by JECFA and the SCF. EFSA kept this ADI in 2015 and said it should be expressed as 2.5 mg carminic acid/kg body weight per day. Can cause severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in rare cases. Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans because of its animal origin.
The detail
Extracted from the dried bodies of female Dactylopius coccus insects, which feed on prickly pear cacti. Used as a textile dye in Aztec and Inca cultures long before reaching Europe in the 16th century.
Used in yogurts, jams, candies, beverages, and cosmetics where a stable natural red is desired. Also widespread in lipstick and blush.
Color shifts with pH — orange in acidic solutions, red at neutral, violet in alkaline. Excellent light and heat stability.
Permitted globally. The US FDA requires explicit labeling as 'carmine' or 'cochineal extract' since 2011 due to allergen concerns.
Sources
- EFSA — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of cochineal, carminic acid, carmines (E 120) as a food additive (2015) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2015. ADI 5 mg carmine/kg bw, expressed as 2.5 mg carminic acid/kg bw/day; allergen advice
- WHO JECFA database — Carmines (INS 120): ADI 0–5 mg/kg bw — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (WHO), 2000. ADI of 5 mg/kg bw; may provoke allergic reactions
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 73.100 Cochineal extract; carmine, current as of 13 Oct 2026 — US Food and Drug Administration / Office of the Federal Register, 2026. US label must name 'cochineal extract' or 'carmine'
- FDA — Small Entity Compliance Guide: Declaration by Name on the Label of All Foods and Cosmetic Products that Contain Cochineal Extract and Carmine (April 2009) — US Food and Drug Administration, 2009. US labeling requirement in force since 2011
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.