Is carmin de cochenille e120 vegan?

"Carmin de cochenille e120" is French for "cochineal carmine," a natural red food coloring commonly known as carmine or cochineal extract under the European additive code E120. This pigment is obtained from the bodies of female cochineal insects, specifically Dactylopius coccus, which live on prickly pear cacti. The insects are harvested, dried, and crushed to extract carminic acid, which is then treated with mineral salts to create a stable red dye.

This additive appears frequently on ingredient labels for red, pink, or purple foods and beverages. Typical products listing it include yogurts, candies, gelatins, fruit juices, baked goods, soft drinks, and processed meats, as well as cosmetic items like lipstick and blush.

carmin de cochenille e120 is not vegan because the substance is derived directly from insects, which are animals. Processing this ingredient inherently requires the harvesting and killing of animal life, making any product containing it unsuitable for a vegan diet.