Cochineal / Carminic Acid / Carmine

Red colouring from crushed cochineal scale insects

Also known as Cochineal, Carminic Acid, Carmine, CI 75470, Natural Red 4

SANHA, HMC UK, and IFANCA classify as not halal; JAKIM Muzakarah Council 100, MUI, and MUIS classify as halal.

Based on 6 cited authorities. Confidence: medium.

What authorities say

6 authorities on record

3say Not halal3say Halal

Saying Not halal3 of 6

SANHA

Carminic Acid, From insect Cochineal

HMC UK

HMC does not publish a per-additive table; its general position on insect-derived colourings is haram.

IFANCA

Many scholars: Haram

Saying Halal3 of 6

JAKIM Muzakarah Council 100Revised 2012

darahnya tidak mengalir (blood does not flow)

MUI

Insect blood does not flow; similar reasoning to grasshoppers (Fatwa 33/2011)

MUIS

MUIS Food Additive Listing (2016): Natural red colouring which may be extracted from the bodies of female insects called Dactilopius coccus.

Verdict revised by JAKIM

Muzakarah Council 100 (2012) reversed the 2010 JAKIM Handbook 2010 position.

Then · 2010

Doubtful

JAKIM Handbook 2010

Now · 2012

Halal

Muzakarah Council 100

Why: "Kajian Semula" (Review) — the jumhur fuqaha consider insect-corpses without flowing blood pure

Why this verdict

E120 is a red colorant made from crushed cochineal scale insects, used in confectionery, beverages, and processed meats. The fiqh question is whether insect-derived substances are permissible. SANHA, HMC UK, and IFANCA all classify E120 as haram, citing Hanafi reasoning that the insect is impermissible. JAKIM Muzakarah Council 100 (2012) and MUI Fatwa 33/2011 permit it on the reasoning that the insect’s blood does not flow. MUIS lists E120 without a syubhah marker, treating it as permitted, but the displayed verdict follows SANHA, HMC, and IFANCA, which classify it as haram. E120 is not halal.

Food-safety note

Permitted as a food colour in Australia and New Zealand under the Food Standards Code (Schedule 15), subject to maximum permitted levels. Carmine is one of the more common colour-related food allergens — sensitive people can have allergic reactions, occasionally severe — so it must be declared by name on labels. (Source: FSANZ; Food Standards Code Schedule 15.)

Common questions

Is E120 halal?

Cochineal / Carminic Acid / Carmine (E120) is classified not halal. SANHA, HMC UK, and IFANCA classify it as not halal; JAKIM Muzakarah Council 100, MUI, and MUIS classify it as halal.

What is E120 made from?

Cochineal / Carminic Acid / Carmine (E120) is commonly found in Red candies, fruit juices, yogurts, and ice cream.

Why did JAKIM revise its ruling on E120 in 2012?

"Kajian Semula" (Review) — the jumhur fuqaha consider insect-corpses without flowing blood pure

What is a halal alternative to E120?

Halal-considered alternatives include Beetroot Red/Betanin (E162), Anthocyanins (E163), and Paprika Extract (E160C).

Try instead

E162Beetroot Red/Betanin E163Anthocyanins E160CPaprika Extract

Found in

Red candiesfruit juicesyogurtsice creamcosmeticsred velvet products