Carmines (INS 120, E120) are a red colouring made from cochineal, small scale insects (Dactylopius coccus) that live on prickly pear cacti, mainly in Peru and the Canary Islands. The dried insects contain carminic acid; combining it with aluminium and calcium produces carmine, a stable pigment that gives shades from pink to deep red.
Carmine counts as a natural colour and holds up well to heat and light, so it is used in yoghurts, sweets, fillings and coatings where a strawberry pink is wanted. It is permitted under Codex and in the EU.
Because it comes from insects, carmine is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. On SeekSnack it is listed on Pocky Strawberry (Thailand), the strawberry-coated biscuit stick.
