What Brands Still Use Carmine?

October 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, some consumers suffer allergic reactions from carmine, prompting a need for clear labeling since 2011. Many consumers still wonder what brands still use carmine in their products, ranging from beauty items to popular food and beverages.

Quick Summary

This article reveals brands in the cosmetics and food industries that utilize carmine dye. It details how to spot this insect-derived ingredient on labels and provides a comparison with modern vegan alternatives.

Key Points

Prevalence: Despite ethical concerns, carmine is still widely used in many cosmetics and food products, including those from major brands like L'Oreal and Yoplait.
Identification: Consumers can identify carmine on ingredient labels by looking for terms like "carmine," "cochineal extract," "Natural Red 4," "CI 75470," or "E120".
Source: Carmine is derived from the crushed bodies of female cochineal insects, a process that raises ethical concerns for many vegans and vegetarians.
Allergies: The dye can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, with symptoms ranging from mild irritation to severe anaphylactic shock.
Alternatives: A growing number of brands offer vegan, carmine-free options, utilizing plant-based pigments from sources like beetroot, sweet potato, and hibiscus.
Industry Shift: Large brands like Starbucks have already switched from carmine to plant-based alternatives, signaling a broader industry move towards more ethical and allergy-friendly ingredients.

What is Carmine?

Carmine, also known as cochineal extract, is a vibrant red pigment derived from the bodies of crushed female cochineal insects. These insects are native to Mexico and Central and South America, where they live as parasites on cactus plants. The dried, crushed insects are treated to create carminic acid, which is then processed into the carmine dye.

Carmine has been used for centuries due to its intense color, stability against light and heat, and long-lasting properties. Although it is a natural dye, its animal origin and potential for allergic reactions make it controversial for vegans, vegetarians, and those with sensitivities.

Major Cosmetic Brands Using Carmine

Many cosmetic companies still use carmine for vibrant red, pink, and purple shades despite the rise of vegan options. This includes both drugstore and high-end brands. It's crucial to check individual product labels as not all items from a brand may contain carmine.

Examples in Makeup

Brands like L'Oreal and Maybelline, Chanel and YSL, Burt's Bees, Missha and Etude House have been noted for using carmine in certain lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, and other decorative cosmetics.

Identifying Carmine in Cosmetics

Look for these terms on cosmetic labels to identify carmine:

Carmine
Cochineal Extract
Natural Red 4
CI 75470
E120 (especially in Europe)

Food and Drink Products with Carmine

Carmine's stability makes it suitable for coloring many food and beverages. While some companies have switched to vegan options, carmine is still used in some products.

Examples in Food

Examples of food items that may contain carmine include certain products from brands like Yoplait, Nestlé's Munch Bunch, Hartley's, Mr Kipling (Cherry Bakewells), and The Fishmonger (seafood sticks). Starbucks previously used carmine in strawberry drinks but switched to a tomato-based alternative.

Why is Carmine Still Used in Food?

Carmine is still used because of its superior coloring properties compared to some plant-based dyes. It is highly resistant to heat, light, and acid, ensuring a consistent and vibrant red color.

The Carmine Controversy: Ethics and Allergies

Avoiding carmine often relates to ethical concerns about its animal origin, making it unsuitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those following kosher or halal diets. Producing the dye involves killing millions of insects. Carmine can also cause allergic reactions, from skin irritation to severe anaphylaxis, likely due to residual insect protein. The FDA requires carmine to be listed on labels for allergy awareness.

The Rise of Vegan and Carmine-Free Alternatives

Increasing consumer demand for cruelty-free and vegan options is driving brands to use plant-based colorants and alternatives.

Vegan Brands and Alternative Dyes

Many brands like E.l.f Cosmetics, KVD Beauty, and Rare Beauty are entirely vegan and thus carmine-free. Hourglass Cosmetics developed a plant-based Red 0 pigment. Other alternatives include anthocyanins from black carrots and berries, beetroot extract, sweet potatoes, and mineral pigments like iron oxides.

Comparison: Carmine vs. Vegan Alternatives


Feature	Carmine	Vegan Alternatives (e.g., Anthocyanins, Beet)
Source	Animal-derived (crushed cochineal beetles)	Plant-derived (fruits, vegetables, minerals)
Color Intensity	Excellent, very vibrant red	Good, but can vary by source and pH
Stability	Excellent (heat, light, oxidation)	Can be sensitive to heat and pH changes
Allergen Risk	Known allergen, can cause severe reactions in some	Generally low-risk for allergies
Ethical Sourcing	Ethical concerns due to animal-derived source	Aligns with vegan and cruelty-free ethics
Application	Broad applications in food and cosmetics	Wide range, but often best in specific pH environments

Conclusion

Carmine is still used in many products for its performance and stability, but increasing awareness of its source and potential allergens is leading to a shift towards vegan alternatives. Consumers can avoid carmine by checking labels for terms like 'cochineal extract' or 'CI 75470'. The growing availability of carmine-free options shows that vibrant color can be achieved ethically and safely.

Resources:

PETA's Guide to Avoiding Carmine: Does Your Red Lipstick Contain Carmine (Dead Bugs)?

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, carmine is considered a natural dye because it comes from a natural source—the cochineal insect. However, this does not make it vegan or cruelty-free, as it is derived from animals.

Brands often use carmine because it offers a very stable and intense red pigment that is resistant to heat, light, and oxidation, making it more effective than some synthetic or plant-based alternatives for specific products.

Carmine can be found in various food products, including some brands of red or pink yogurt, ice cream, candy, fruit juice, and seafood sticks. Check the ingredient label for 'carmine' or 'E120'.

Yes, carmine has been known to cause allergic reactions, including severe anaphylaxis, in a small percentage of sensitive individuals. The reaction is believed to be triggered by residual insect proteins.

Brands like E.l.f Cosmetics, KVD Beauty, Rare Beauty, and Hourglass (using their plant-based Red 0 pigment) are known for offering carmine-free and vegan cosmetic products.

To find out if a product contains carmine, you need to read the ingredient label and look for specific terms such as 'carmine,' 'cochineal extract,' 'Natural Red 4,' 'CI 75470,' or 'E120'.

Concerns surrounding carmine stem from its origin as a crushed insect, which raises ethical questions for vegans and animal-welfare advocates. It is also an allergen for some, capable of causing serious health issues.