What food contains crushed beetles? Uncovering the truth about carmine and shellac

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

Many red and pink colored candies, yogurts, and beverages are colored using carmine, a natural red dye made from crushed insects. So, to answer the question, 'what food contains crushed beetles?', one must look beyond the initial ingredient lists and understand the origins of common additives like carmine (cochineal extract) and shellac (confectioner's glaze).

Quick Summary

Processed foods with red color and shiny candy coatings often use animal-derived ingredients like carmine and shellac. Carmine is a red dye from cochineal insects, while shellac is a resinous glaze from lac beetles. Learning to identify these ingredients on food labels is crucial for vegans and those with allergies.

Key Points

Carmine is from Cochineal Beetles: The vibrant red food coloring carmine (E120) and cochineal extract are made by crushing female cochineal insects.
Shellac is from Lac Beetles: Confectioner's glaze (E904), a shiny coating on many candies, is made from the resinous secretions of lac beetles.
Found in common foods: Carmine is in red and pink foods like yogurt, candy, and fruit drinks, while shellac is used on glossy candies and some fruits.
Not suitable for vegans: Both carmine and shellac are animal-derived, making them unsuitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.
Look for alternative names: To identify these additives, check labels for "carmine," "cochineal extract," "Natural Red 4," "E120," "confectioner's glaze," or "resinous glaze".
Alternatives are available: Many manufacturers now use plant-based alternatives like beet juice or lycopene for red coloring and zein or other waxes for glazing.
Potential for allergies: Though rare, carmine can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, with the FDA requiring clear labeling to help affected consumers.

Unveiling insect-derived ingredients in everyday food

When we consider the components of our food, we often think of plant-based or synthetic ingredients. However, some commonly used food additives have an animal origin that may surprise many. Two of the most prominent examples of this are carmine, a popular red dye, and shellac, a common glazing agent, both of which are sourced from beetles. These ingredients serve specific purposes for manufacturers, providing vibrant color or a protective sheen that enhances a product's appearance and shelf life.

Carmine: The red dye from cochineal insects

Carmine, also known as cochineal extract, Natural Red 4, or E120 in Europe, is a red food coloring derived from cochineal insects. These tiny insects are native to parts of Latin America and feed on prickly pear cacti. The process of creating the dye involves harvesting, sun-drying, and crushing the female insects. The pigment is extracted and then treated to produce the vibrant carminic acid, which is used to create the carmine dye. While the thought of consuming insects may be off-putting to some, it is important to note that carmine is approved by regulatory bodies and considered safe for consumption, though some individuals can have allergic reactions.

Foods most likely to contain carmine are those with a red or pink color. This includes:

Red, pink, and purple candies and gums
Strawberry, raspberry, and other red fruit-flavored yogurts
Ice cream and sherbet
Juices, sodas, and other beverages
Red velvet cake mixes and frostings
Certain meat and fish products, like sausage and imitation crab

Shellac: The glossy coat from lac beetles

Beyond just coloring, insects can also provide a protective coating for food products. Shellac, referred to as confectioner's glaze, resinous glaze, or E904 on ingredient labels, is a substance secreted by the female lac beetle. The secretion is collected from tree branches where the beetles live, and then processed into flakes before being dissolved in alcohol to create a glaze. This glaze is used to give a shiny, hard, and protective outer layer to many candies and pharmaceuticals. It helps extend the shelf life of products and prevents them from melting or sticking together.

Examples of foods that often use shellac include:

Jelly beans
Candy corn
Chocolate-covered candies and raisins
Some citrus fruits and coffee beans
Time-release pharmaceutical tablets

Ethical and health considerations

For many consumers, particularly vegans, vegetarians, and those with certain religious observances, the presence of animal-derived ingredients is a significant concern. Since carmine and shellac are both sourced from insects, they are not considered vegan or vegetarian. For those with strict dietary preferences, it is essential to scrutinize ingredient lists. Additionally, while rare, some people have reported allergic reactions to carmine, ranging from hives to more severe anaphylactic shock. In response to this, the U.S. FDA required food labels to specifically list "carmine" or "cochineal extract" to help consumers identify the additive.

Comparing carmine and shellac

To better distinguish between these two common insect-derived food additives, consider the following comparison table:


Feature	Carmine (Cochineal Extract)	Shellac (Confectioner's Glaze)
Source	Female cochineal insects	Secretions of female lac beetles
Function	Provides red, pink, and purple coloration	Creates a glossy, protective glaze
Common Foods	Yogurt, ice cream, red candies, beverages	Jelly beans, candy corn, coated chocolates, fruits
Purpose	Aesthetic coloring	Shelf life extension, appearance, moisture barrier
Label Names	Carmine, Cochineal Extract, Natural Red 4, E120	Confectioner's Glaze, Resinous Glaze, E904
Vegan Status	No	No

The growing demand for alternatives

As consumer awareness and demand for plant-based and cruelty-free products increase, many companies are seeking alternatives to insect-derived ingredients. For red coloring, alternatives include beet juice, lycopene from tomatoes, annatto, and radish extract. For glazes, options like zein (a corn protein) or other plant-based waxes are used. Some large companies have already made the switch, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve vibrant colors and appealing finishes without using insect-based products.

Conclusion

Understanding what food contains crushed beetles is not about fear but about informed dietary choices. Carmine and shellac are prevalent in the food industry, providing color and shine to many products we consume daily. For those who follow vegan, vegetarian, or allergy-conscious diets, knowing the alternate names for these ingredients is essential for identifying and avoiding them. The good news is that as consumer demand for transparency and alternative ingredients grows, so do the plant-based options available on the market, giving everyone more choice in what they eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carmine is a bright red dye made from crushed cochineal insects and can be found in red and pink candies, yogurts, juices, and ice cream.

Confectioner's glaze is made from shellac, a resinous secretion of the female lac beetle, not from the beetle itself.

Carmine and shellac are considered safe for consumption by regulatory agencies like the FDA. However, carmine can trigger allergic reactions in a small percentage of the population.

Vegans should check for 'carmine,' 'cochineal extract,' 'Natural Red 4,' 'E120,' 'confectioner's glaze,' 'resinous glaze,' or 'E904' on ingredient lists.

Common foods include jelly beans, candy corn, glossy chocolate candies, red-colored yogurts, fruit snacks, and red velvet cake mixes.

Yes, many food companies use plant-based dyes like beet juice, annatto, or lycopene from tomatoes to achieve red and pink colors.

Some manufacturers prefer insect-derived ingredients for their stable color (carmine) or durable, protective coating (shellac). They are also considered "natural" by some food regulations.

Yes, Starbucks once used cochineal extract (carmine) for coloring some of their products but switched to a tomato-based alternative (lycopene) in 2012 following customer feedback.