Is Carmine (E120) Halal? The Insect Dye Hidden in Your Yoghurt

Carmine (E120) is haram according to the majority scholarly position. It is produced by crushing the dried bodies of the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus), and consuming insects is prohibited under the Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Maliki madhabs (legal schools) that together represent the overwhelming majority of the world's Muslims. The Hanbali position is the same. A very small minority scholarly view considers carmine permissible under the principle of istihalah (complete transformation), but this position is not accepted by JAKIM, MUI, IFANCA, HFA, or any mainstream halal certification body.

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What Is Carmine?

Carmine is a natural red dye extracted from the dried and crushed bodies of the cochineal insect, a scale insect that lives on prickly pear cacti in Peru, the Canary Islands, and Mexico. It takes approximately 70,000–100,000 insects to produce one kilogram of carmine dye.

Carmine is one of the oldest and most stable natural red colorants in food manufacturing. It produces a vivid, stable red-to-pink colour that resists fading under heat, light, and pH variation — properties that make it valuable in food products where artificial red dyes (Red 40, Red 2G) have faced consumer backlash or regulatory scrutiny.

On food labels, carmine appears as:

• Carmine
• Carminic acid
• Cochineal extract
• Natural Red 4
• E120 (European food additive code)
• CI 75470 (cosmetic ingredient code)

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Why Is Carmine Haram?

The prohibition stems from the source: insects. In Islamic jurisprudence, the permissibility of insects as food is governed by the general rule on what is considered filthy (khabith) or harmful. The four major Sunni legal schools — Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — all prohibit the consumption of most insects, with the specific exception of locusts (jarad), which the Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly permitted.

Cochineal insects are not locusts, and there is no specific textual basis for their permissibility. Under the default ruling for insects (impermissible unless specifically permitted), consuming cochineal or products derived from cochineal falls under the prohibition.

The argument for permissibility via istihalah — that the transformation of insect material into a purified dye compound changes its ruling — is considered by some scholars but rejected by all mainstream halal certifiers. The test for istihalah is complete physical and chemical transformation into a new substance. Carminic acid retains its insect-derived origin and can be identified as such — most certifiers consider this an insufficient transformation to invoke istihalah.

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Where Is Carmine Used? A Product Category Guide

Carmine is widespread in "natural" and premium food products — particularly those where manufacturers have moved away from artificial dyes. Ironically, the "no artificial colours" claim on many products is achieved through the use of carmine, which is problematic for Muslim and vegan consumers alike.

Yoghurt and Dairy Products

Strawberry, raspberry, cherry, and mixed berry yoghurts are among the most common carmine-containing products. The vivid pink colour in many fruit yoghurts — particularly premium and "natural" brands — is frequently carmine (E120). Check the ingredient list carefully on any red or pink dairy product.

Confectionery

Some red and pink confectionery uses carmine instead of synthetic dyes. This includes certain gummy sweets, hard candies, maraschino cherries, and candy coatings. Premium and artisan confectionery marketed as "natural colours" is more likely to use carmine than mass-market products (which often still use Red 40 / Allura Red).

Juices, Drinks, and Smoothies

Certain fruit drinks, smoothies, and flavoured waters use carmine to enhance their red-pink colour. "Naturally coloured" fruit drinks are particularly likely candidates.

Meat Products

Some processed meat products — particularly in Europe — use carmine to maintain or enhance red colour in sausages, salami, and certain ham products. This is an area where carmine detection is less expected by consumers.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

Carmine is extensively used in lip products (lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner), blush, eye shadow, and nail polish. In cosmetics, the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name is Carmine or CI 75470. For Muslim consumers who follow the ruling that lip products are ingested in trace amounts, the haram status of carmine extends to these products. Halal cosmetics brands explicitly avoid carmine and use plant-based red alternatives (beetroot, anthocyanins, lycopene).

Pharmaceutical Products

Some pharmaceutical tablet coatings and liquid medications use carmine as a colorant. The same halal concern applies, with the caveat that necessity (darura) may apply for medications with no carmine-free alternative.

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How to Spot Carmine on Labels

Look for any of these names on ingredient lists:

Label Name	Jurisdiction
Carmine	USA, UK, most English-language markets
E120	European Union
Cochineal extract	USA (FDA requires this disclosure for allergen purposes)
Carminic acid	Technical/industrial labelling
Natural Red 4	Cosmetic and technical labelling
CI 75470	Cosmetics (INCI system)

Note: In the USA, the FDA ruled in 2011 that carmine and cochineal extract must be declared by name on food and cosmetic labels (previously they could be listed as "artificial colour" or "colour added"). In the EU, E120 must be declared and products containing it must carry the label warning "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" when combined with certain other dyes — though this warning is for carmine specifically only in certain combinations.

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What Major Halal Certifiers Say About Carmine

• JAKIM (Malaysia): Carmine (E120) is haram. Insect-derived ingredients are not permissible. Products containing carmine cannot be certified halal.
• MUI/BPJPH (Indonesia): Same position. E120 is listed as a haram additive. Products submitted for Indonesian mandatory halal certification must not contain carmine.
• IFANCA (USA): Carmine is haram. Not permitted in IFANCA-certified products.
• HFA (UK): Carmine is not halal. HFA-certified products must not contain E120 or cochineal extract.
• Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC): Has ruled insects (other than locusts) impermissible for consumption, covering carmine by extension.

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Halal Alternatives to Carmine

Food manufacturers and cosmetics brands have several effective halal-certified alternatives for red and pink colouring:

Alternative	Source	Colour Range	Stability
Beetroot red (betanin, E162)	Red beetroot	Pink to deep red	Moderate — sensitive to heat and light
Anthocyanins (E163)	Grape skin, elderberry, red cabbage	Pink to purple-red (pH dependent)	Moderate — pH sensitive
Lycopene (E160d)	Tomato	Orange-red	Good — heat stable
Paprika extract (E160c)	Red peppers	Orange to red	Good — light sensitive
Red radish extract	Red radish	Pink to red	Moderate
Hibiscus extract	Hibiscus flowers	Pink to deep magenta	Moderate — pH dependent

None of the plant-based alternatives exactly replicate carmine's stability and colour depth under all processing conditions. Beetroot red (betanin) is the closest functional substitute for many dairy and confectionery applications, though it fades under high heat. Manufacturers reformulating for halal compliance typically use a blend of plant extracts rather than a single alternative to approximate carmine's performance.

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Carmine in Context: The "Natural" Label Problem

One of the more frustrating aspects of carmine for halal consumers is that it appears precisely in the products marketed as the most natural and clean-label. A premium "no artificial colours" strawberry yoghurt from an organic brand is more likely to contain carmine than a mass-market equivalent that uses synthetic Red 40.

This creates a counter-intuitive situation: for halal consumers, "artificial colours" on a yoghurt label may actually indicate a safer (haram-free) product than "natural colours," depending on the specific synthetic dye used. Red 40 (Allura Red, E129), despite being synthetic, is considered halal — it is not derived from any animal source. E120 (carmine), despite being "natural," is haram.

The practical takeaway: do not use "natural colours" as a proxy for halal. Only halal certification provides a reliable guarantee that carmine is absent.

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Quick Reference: Common Red Colourings and Halal Status

Colorant	Code	Source	Halal Status
Carmine / Cochineal extract	E120	Cochineal insect	Haram ❌
Allura Red AC	E129 / Red 40	Synthetic (petroleum-derived)	Halal ✅
Ponceau 4R	E124	Synthetic	Halal ✅
Erythrosine	E127 / Red 3	Synthetic (iodine-containing)	Halal ✅
Beetroot red (betanin)	E162	Red beetroot	Halal ✅
Anthocyanins	E163	Plant skins and extracts	Halal ✅
Lycopene	E160d	Tomato	Halal ✅
Paprika extract	E160c	Red pepper	Halal ✅

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Carmine is a clear example of why ingredient literacy matters for halal consumers. The widespread use of E120 in premium "natural" products — yoghurts, juices, confectionery, cosmetics — means that halal-conscious consumers cannot rely on "clean label" marketing as a proxy for halal compliance. Look for recognised halal certification, which guarantees that E120 and other insect-derived ingredients have been screened out of the formulation.

Explore our halal ingredients guide series for more commonly questioned food additives, or use our global certifier directory to find the halal certification body recognised in your market.