Scholars differ
- Usually made from
- Insects
- Used as
- colour
- Vegan
- No
Made from insects; scholars and certifiers disagree about it.
What is E120?
Carmine is a red colour made from cochineal, small insects that live on cactus plants. The dried bodies of female insects are extracted with water, alcohol or a mix of both to obtain carminic acid, which is often turned into an aluminium lake called carmine.
Why it's marked “Scholars differ”
It is made from insects, and rulings on eating insects or their extracts are not uniform. Some scholars and certifiers accept carmine, others do not. Alcohol may also be used during extraction, which some certifiers look at separately. Because of this, the list places it under “scholars differ” rather than giving a single answer.
Where views differ
Some scholars and halal certifiers accept carmine, while others do not. The disagreement is mainly about whether insects are lawful to eat and whether the processed colour still counts as insect matter. Certification bodies follow different positions, so a halal logo on a product with carmine reflects that certifier's view. If you follow a particular scholar or body, check their ruling.
How to check the label
Look for “carmine”, “cochineal”, “carminic acid” or E120 in the ingredients. If you avoid it, choose products coloured with beetroot red (E162), anthocyanins (E163) or paprika extract (E160c). A halal logo means that certifier accepted it.
Where you'll find it
- yoghurts
- sweets
- fruit drinks
- ice cream
- processed meat
Good to know
- EFSA's 2015 re-evaluation kept an acceptable daily intake of 5 mg carmine per kg of body weight per day, equal to 2.5 mg carminic acid.
- Commercial carmine may contain protein from the insect. EFSA advised removing it during manufacture, because this protein can trigger allergic reactions.
- Other label names include cochineal, carminic acid, carmines and Natural Red 4.
Similar additives
See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker
This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is carmine halal?
Scholars differ. It is made from insects, and rulings on eating insects or their extracts are not uniform. Some scholars and certifiers accept carmine, others do not. Alcohol may also be used during extraction, which some certifiers look at separately. Because of this, the list places it under “scholars differ” rather than giving a single answer.
What is E120 made from?
Carmine is a red colour made from cochineal, small insects that live on cactus plants. The dried bodies of female insects are extracted with water, alcohol or a mix of both to obtain carminic acid, which is often turned into an aluminium lake called carmine.
Is E120 vegan?
No. E120 comes from an animal source.