Ingredients and products
What is vegan red food colouring made from, given cochineal comes from insects?
Short answer
Cochineal (E120) really is made from crushed cochineal insects, so it is off-limits for vegans. Luckily there is plenty to choose from — colourings from beet, paprika or anthocyanins from blackcurrant or chokeberry give a similar effect without animals. More and more producers, especially in cosmetics and confectionery, are switching to these options.
Carmine / cochineal (E120) is a red dye from cochineal insects — it is not vegan. EFSA treats E120 as an animal-derived colour. It shows up in drinks, yoghurts, sweets and cosmetics.
E124 and E129 are different reds — not every red additive is carmine, but E120 always comes from insects. On the label look for E120 / carmine / cochineal, or choose products with a vegan mark.