Is Carmine (E120 / INS 120) Halal?
carmine is considered haram (not permissible). Red dye extracted from cochineal insects.
Why this status?
Red dye extracted from cochineal insects. Haram — insects are impermissible.
Editorial summary
This summary is editorial and is general information, not a religious ruling. The status above is unchanged.
What it is
Carmine, also called cochineal extract, carminic acid, natural red 4 and E120, is a red dye made from the dried bodies of cochineal insects. It colors yogurts, drinks, candy, sausages, cosmetics and many pink and red foods. This entry is rated haram because it is an insect-derived ingredient.
Why scholars matter here
Most Hanafi and Shafi'i scholars treat ingested insect derivatives as impermissible, and our rating follows that stricter and more widely cited position. Not every scholar agrees on insect-derived colors, and some permit them, so the question is one where people follow their own school or ask their own scholar.
Reading a label
The FDA requires that cochineal extract and carmine be declared by name on the label of all foods and cosmetics that contain them, a rule that took effect in 2011 because of allergic reactions in some people. That makes carmine one of the easier ingredients to avoid: look for cochineal extract, carmine, carminic acid, natural red 4 or E120 on the ingredient list. Outside the United States, E120 is the usual listing. Beet juice, anthocyanins from fruit, lycopene and paprika extract are plant-based reds that can replace it.
Common products
Carmine appears in red and pink yogurts, fruit drinks, candies, ice cream, sausages and surimi, as well as lipsticks and blushes. Because the FDA requires it to be named, it is straightforward to spot. Alternatives include beet juice, anthocyanin colors from purple carrots and sweet potato, and paprika, and some brands advertise that they have replaced carmine.
In short
In short, carmine is derived from insects and is rated haram, following the stricter and more widely cited position. It must be named on U.S. labels, so it is one of the easier ingredients to avoid.
Also listed on labels as
carmine can appear on an ingredient list as E120, carminic acid, cochineal, natural red 4.
What to do when a product lists it
A product that lists this ingredient is not permissible for those who follow this rating, so look for an alternative made without it. Some ingredients have halal-certified or plant-based versions, and a recognized halal certificate is the way to confirm that a particular product uses one. Recipes change and differ between countries, so check the package in your hands.
Products and questions that involve carmine
Sources
Classification based on clinical nutrition assessment; no independent published study cited.
Reviewed by Habib Aman, Islamic Scholar, MBA — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general guidance for everyday shopping, not a religious ruling. Formulations vary by manufacturer and country — confirm with the manufacturer or your local scholar when it matters.
Checking a whole product?
SafaScan is a halal scanner app that is coming soon. It will check carmine and every other ingredient on a product. Sign up for launch updates. Learn about SafaScan.
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