Is E120 (Cochineal / Carmine / Carminic acid) Halal?
Commonly non-halal — check for a certified version
E120 (Carmine / Cochineal) is a red colour extracted from the dried bodies of cochineal insects, so most scholars treat it as not halal.
What is E120?
Carmine is a natural crimson-red colour made from carminic acid, which is extracted from the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus). Because its origin is an insect, it is widely classified as doubtful-to-avoid or impermissible by most halal authorities.
Cochineal insects are harvested and dried, and carminic acid is extracted and processed into carmine (an aluminium/calcium lake) or liquid cochineal extract.
Why is it best avoided?
The prohibition here is about origin: carmine is derived from insects, and most scholars consider insect-derived food colour impermissible to consume. This is why we classify it as 'avoid'. Plant-based red colours such as beetroot red (E162), anthocyanins (E163) or lycopene are halal alternatives that manufacturers can use instead.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Yoghurts and dairy desserts
- Sweets and confectionery
- Some processed meats and surimi
- Beverages and juices
- Cosmetics and lipsticks (non-food)
How it appears on labels
CarmineCochinealCarminic acidE120Natural Red 4CI 75470INS number: 120
How to verify a product in Singapore
- Ingredient-level guidance is not halal certification — check the complete product, not just this ingredient.
- Look for recognised halal certification, and check the finished product on the official MUIS HalalSG register.
- When the source or processing aids are unclear, contact the manufacturer.
In Singapore, verify the product on the MUIS HalalSG register. A product containing carmine would not be expected to hold halal certification unless a specifically-approved colourant is used; contact the manufacturer if the red colour source is unclear.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E120 / carmine halal or haram?
Carmine (E120) is made from insects, and most scholars consider it impermissible, so it is best avoided.
Is carmine made from animals?
It is made from insects (cochineal), not from plants. That insect origin is the reason it is widely treated as not halal.
What is a halal alternative to carmine?
Plant-based red colours such as beetroot red (E162), anthocyanins (E163) or lycopene.
What names should I look for on a label?
'Carmine', 'Cochineal', 'Carminic acid', 'E120', 'Natural Red 4' or 'CI 75470'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Scientific opinion on cochineal, carminic acid, carmines (E 120) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Insect origin of the colour
- General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database — Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) · INS 120 and approved uses
- Halal Certification — HalalSG — Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) · Verify the finished product; carmine-containing products are generally not expected to be certified
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.