Is carmin e120 vegan?

The label term "carmin e120" refers to carmine, a natural red food coloring designated by the European additive code E120, with "carmin" being the French and Spanish spelling for carmine. This coloring is obtained from the dried bodies of female cochineal insects, a scale insect species native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Manufacturers harvest and dry the insects, crush them into a powder, and boil them in an alkaline solution to extract carminic acid. This extract is then combined with aluminum or calcium salts to yield a bright, stable red pigment.

Carmine is widely used across the food industry to impart pink, red, or purple coloring. It is commonly found in fruit juices, yogurts, candies, ice creams, jams, gelatin desserts, baked goods, and processed meats. Because the substance is produced directly from insect bodies, "carmin e120" is not vegan.