I was looking up information on artists' colors, particularly reds, when I found this. Cochineal is one of the ancient red dyes, and all the carmines are extracted from it. The red uniforms of the British army are dyed with it. I didn't realize it could also be a food additive. All I can say is: "E-w-w-w-w!"
Color Additive E120
Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines, Natural Red 4
An expensive red colouring, not suitable for vegetarians or some religious cultures, as it is extracted from the crushed carcasses of the female Dactylopius coccus, a cactus-feeding scale insect, which are killed by either immersion in hot water or by exposure to sunlight, steam, or the heat of an oven, dried and crushed into powder. The variety in the appearance of commercial cochineal is caused by these differing methods. It takes around 70,000 insects to make one pound of cochineal.
The water soluble form is used in alcoholic drinks with calcium carmine, the insoluble form being used in a wider variety of products. Together with ammonium carmine they can be found in alcoholic drinks, bakery products and toppings, biscuits, desserts, drinks, icings, pie fillings, variety of cheddar cheese, sauces and sweets.
This dye is widely used in M&Ms, Starbucks Coffee and Cherry Coke, as well as a long list containing jams, preserves, meat, marinades, cookies, and many other food products. It is also used to make meat look fresh.
It seems that the majority of the E-coded additives are made from such appetizing things. Enjoy that next handful of M&Ms...
