Is carmine halal? Scholars disagree
Scholars disagree: many halal certifiers reject insect-derived colors, others permit them.
The full answer
Carmine (E120) is a red color made from crushed cochineal insects. Whether it's halal depends on which school of Islamic law you follow.
The Hanafi school, followed by most Muslims in South Asia and Turkey, generally forbids eating insects other than locusts. Under that view carmine is not halal.
The Maliki school and some others permit certain insects, and some certifiers argue the dye is so transformed that it's permissible. The Muslim World League has issued guidance accepting it in some contexts.
In practice, many halal certification bodies (including in Malaysia and Indonesia) do not certify products with carmine. If you want to be sure, look for a halal logo; a certified product won't contain carmine unless that certifier permits it.
What to look for on the label
- Halal certification logo from a recognized body
- "Colored with beet juice" or "paprika extract" instead of carmine
- Avoid: carmine, cochineal, E120, natural red 4
Other diets
Get the plant-colored version
Plant-based picksBeet root powder for coloring
Bright pink color from vegetables.
Shop beet powder Opens your country’s Amazon storeVegan red candy (no carmine)
Colored with fruit and vegetable juice.
Shop vegan candy Opens your country’s Amazon storeCertified vegan strawberry yogurt
Plant-based yogurts colored with beet.
Shop vegan yogurt Opens your country’s Amazon storeAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes our ratings.
Common questions
Is E120 haram?
Under the Hanafi school, yes. Other schools and some certifiers permit it.
What halal red colors can I look for?
Beet red (E162), paprika (E160c) and lycopene (E160d) are plant-based.
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