Carmine (Cochineal extract, E120)
Updated October 2, 2026
Carmine (E120) is a food additive in the “colors” group. It appears in 8,015 products in our database, 456 of them sold in the US.
Quick facts
- Also known as
- Cochineal extract, Carminic acid, Natural Red 4, E120
- E-number
- E120
- Function
- Colors
- Found in
- 8,015 products (456 sold in the US)
Foods that commonly contain Carmine
Share of published products in each category whose ingredient list includes Carmine.
Popular products with Carmine
NOVA 4 
a NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 Carmine-free alternatives
Popular products from the same categories that don't list Carmine and score Nutri-Score A–C.
a NOVA 4 
a NOVA 4 
b NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 How to spot Carmine on a label
Look for any of these names in the ingredient list:
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What foods contain Carmine?
In our database, Carmine most often appears in candies, gummi candies, confectioneries and sausages.
How many products contain Carmine?
8,015 published products on Foodmetria list Carmine, including 456 sold in the United States. Counts come from ingredient lists in Open Food Facts and update daily.
Product data: Open Food Facts (ODbL), updated daily. Additive information is for general education and is not medical advice. Always check the package label. Our methodology.