Is it vegan?
What is carmine (E120)? The bug-based dye hiding in red food & lipstick
Carmine, cochineal, E120 — all names for a dye made from crushed beetles. Here's where it hides in food and cosmetics, and the best vegan red alternatives.
May 28, 2026 · 4 min read · By VeggieOS Editorial
Carmine — also called cochineal, carminic acid, natural red 4, crimson lake,or E120 — is a deep red dye made by crushing dried cochineal beetles. It takes about 70,000 insects to produce 1 kg of dye. It's in more products than most people realize.
Where carmine hides
- Strawberry yogurts, pink ice creams, and red fruit drinks
- Red lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, and nail polish
- Maraschino cherries, jam, and "real fruit" candies
- Some craft beers and red wines (as a colorant)
- Surimi (imitation crab) and red-tinted salami
Label names to scan for
Carmine, carmines, carminic acid, cochineal, cochineal extract, natural red 4, crimson lake, E120, CI 75470. All are the same insect-derived dye.
Vegan red alternatives
- Beet juice / beetroot powder — rich crimson, perfect for baking
- Lycopene from tomatoes — bright red, used by Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy
- Annatto — orange-red, plant-based
- Anthocyanins from purple cabbage, blackcurrant, or hibiscus
Bottom line
Carmine is one of the most overlooked non-vegan ingredients. Always scan red and pink products — VeggieOS catches all five names (and the cosmetic CI number) automatically.