Carmine
E120
E120, carmine, cochineal, carmines, cochineal extract, carminic acid, carmín, ácido carmínico, cochinilla, rouge de cochenille
What it is
A red food dye extracted from the dried bodies of female cochineal insects.
Why BOTIA flags it
It flags it because it is derived from insects, making it of animal origin and non-halal (haram) according to several Islamic jurisprudences.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect the presence of E120 or its synonyms in the ingredient list.
- Alert consumers of its insect origin for vegan, vegetarian, and religious dietary preferences.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine the concentration of carmine used in the food product.
- Verify if the extraction solvents or carrier substances used during manufacturing comply with specific purity limits.