Cochineal’s Carmine is known as the best natural coloring, due to its wide use in the food industry to provide color to products requiring a tone from pink to deep red, such as sausages, syrups, sweets, jams, gums, industrial cakes, vegetable preserves, ice creams, and dairy products, such as red fruits and strawberry yogurt, or some energy drinks and sausages.
However, a recurring problem involves animal defenders and vegans creating campaigns to stop the usage of Carmine as a natural additive. Why? According to them, they are eating insects.
Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of Cochineal in various food products, numerous food brands employing it assert that the opposition stems from a concerted effort to mislead consumers with misinformation. Experts contend that the majority of campaigns against carmine are rife with misleading advertisements, often resorting to the use of images of unrelated insects. This has prompted a collective defense, emphasizing that both the FDA and the EU have granted their approval for Cochineal’s use as a natural coloring agent, attesting to its safety.
Cochineal-derived carmine finds its way into a vast array of products, spanning across different industries. Its presence is ubiquitous, infiltrating the realms of the meat industry, dairy products, and high-quality cosmetics such as lip tints and nail polish. Additionally, carmine is a key component in candies, alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, textiles, historical paintings, and high-end industrial paints, particularly those used for buildings characterized by luxury design or historical significance.
Delving into its application in food products, Cochineal-based carmine, often labeled as E-120, is prevalent in strawberry and red fruit yogurts. It is a staple in a multitude of sausages, as well as a common ingredient in a variety of sweets, including popular items like Mentos or gummies. The vibrant red hue of carmine enhances the visual appeal of red drinks, strawberry or raspberry jams, sweet syrups, and numerous other food items, solidifying its widespread use in the culinary landscape. In essence, the applications of Cochineal-derived carmine extend far beyond the confines of food, making it a versatile and prevalent ingredient in an array of everyday products.
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