Foods Containing E120 (Carmine)
E120 (Carmine) is a red colouring made from crushed cochineal insects — not vegan, not vegetarian and not halal. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E120
E120 is used across sweets, soft drinks, desserts, ice cream, sauces and snacks. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Red sweets
- Strawberry yoghurts
- Juice drinks
- Bakery icing
- Some lipsticks and cosmetics
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E120 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E120" or as "Carmine".
How to spot E120 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "food colourings: E120" or "food colourings: carmine". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Carmine" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E120?
E120 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E120 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E120: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).