Carmine or E120 is commonly produced from ground up cochineal beetlesIt's probably one of the last things you think about when you open a tasty treat or put on some lipstick.But food derived from insects can actually be found in your cupboard as well.
Advertisement The carmine colour can be produced synthetically, but the food industry predominantly uses the natural cochineal-extracted colorant because of its lower cost. Among the world's largest exporters of E120 are South American countries including Peru and Brazil, where it is a vital source of income for farmers.A Perfect Red recounts the cochineal extract's longstanding use particularly in the textile trade
While some companies have switched to alternative sources for red food dye including colourings from beetroot and radish.