Carmine
E120
E120, INS 120, carmine, cochineal, carmines, cochineal extract, carminic acid, carmín, ácido carmínico, cochinilla, rouge de cochenille
What it is
Carmine (E120 / INS 120) is a red food colour made from cochineal insects. It is an animal-derived colour, not a synthetic red dye.
Why BOTIA flags it
Carmine is made from the cochineal insect and contains animal proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitised people. Because of its origin, BOTIA flags it for people choosing vegan or halal food: OIC/SMIIC 24:2020, the food-additive standard BOTIA follows, classifies carmine E120 as non-halal because it is insect-derived. JECFA set an acceptable daily intake of 0–5 mg/kg body weight and separately records the allergy concern.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E120, INS 120, carmine, cochineal, carminic acid and its other declared names in the ingredient list.
- Explain its insect origin, JECFA's allergy evidence and the non-halal classification for E120 in OIC/SMIIC 24:2020.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine how much carmine or allergenic insect protein is present in a product from the ingredient list.
- Decide whether a person should regard a food as halal or permitted; BOTIA reports the classification in the technical standard it follows.