INS 120 is carmine, also called cochineal or carminic acid. It is a deep red-pink colour made by drying and processing cochineal insects, small bugs that live on prickly-pear cactus in South America. The colour is used in foods, drinks, and cosmetics. It is animal-derived (non-vegetarian under Indian rules) and is not currently listed in the FSSAI permitted additives schedule.
Quick Facts
INS Number
120
E-Number
E120
Category
Colour
Veg Status
Animal-derived
FSSAI Status
Not listed
JECFA ADI
0-5 mg/kg bw (2000)
Composition
Not a single compound. Carmine is a complex of carminic acid bound to aluminium and calcium, mixed with protein residues from dried cochineal insects. The exact ratios vary by manufacturer and intended use (lake, liquid, or powder).
What is INS 120?
INS 120 is carmine, also called cochineal or carminic acid. It is a deep red-pink colour made by drying and processing cochineal insects, small bugs that live on prickly-pear cactus in South America. The colour is used in foods, drinks, and cosmetics.
Why brands add it
Brands use it because it gives a stable, vivid red-to-pink shade that holds up under light, heat, and acidic conditions, where many synthetic reds fade. It is the colour behind a lot of strawberry-flavoured yoghurts, certain ice creams and lipsticks, and some cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate-coloured products.
Where you'll find it
INS 120 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:
flavoured yoghurts
strawberry and cherry desserts
fruit-flavoured drinks
some sausages and processed meats abroad
lipsticks and cosmetics
Veg or non-veg? - Animal-derived
Carmine comes from cochineal insects, so it is not vegetarian or vegan even by the broadest definitions. It is not on FSSAI's permitted-colour list, so it should not appear in food manufactured for sale in India. It is used as a food colour in some other countries. Where a product contains it, that product is non-vegetarian. If you eat strict vegetarian, jain, or vegan, watch for it on the label, shown as carmine, cochineal, carminic acid, INS 120, E120, or natural red 4.
FSSAI status and JECFA evaluation
FSSAI: Carmine (INS 120) is not included in the list of colours permitted under the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, which permits a defined set of synthetic colours (tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmoisine, ponceau 4R, erythrosine, indigo carmine, brilliant blue, fast green) and natural colours (carotenoids, chlorophyll, caramel, riboflavin, annatto, curcumin, saffron). Under FSSAI's positive-list rule (no colour may be added to food unless permitted), a colour that is not listed is not permitted for use in food in India. It is used as a food colour in some other countries.
JECFA: Group ADI 0-5 mg/kg body weight for carmines, expressed as carminic acid (26th JECFA, 1982; maintained at 55th JECFA, 2000). The 2000 evaluation also noted that carmine may provoke allergic reactions in some individuals.
Also known as
On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 120 is also called:
120ins 120e120e 120carminecarminescochinealcochineal extractcarminic acidnatural red 4crimson lake
Frequently Asked Questions
Is INS 120 vegetarian?+
Animal-derived. Carmine comes from cochineal insects, so it is not vegetarian or vegan even by the broadest definitions. It is not on FSSAI's permitted-colour list, so it should not appear in food manufactured for sale in India. It is used as a food colour in some other countries. Where a product contains it, that product is non-vegetarian. If you eat strict vegetarian, jain, or vegan, watch for it on the label, shown as carmine, cochineal, carminic acid, INS 120, E120, or natural red 4.
Is INS 120 permitted by FSSAI?+
Carmine (INS 120) is not included in the list of colours permitted under the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, which permits a defined set of synthetic colours (tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmoisine, ponceau 4R, erythrosine, indigo carmine, brilliant blue, fast green) and natural colours (carotenoids, chlorophyll, caramel, riboflavin, annatto, curcumin, saffron). Under FSSAI's positive-list rule (no colour may be added to food unless permitted), a colour that is not listed is not permitted for use in food in India. It is used as a food colour in some other countries.
What is INS 120 used for?+
Brands use it because it gives a stable, vivid red-to-pink shade that holds up under light, heat, and acidic conditions, where many synthetic reds fade. It is the colour behind a lot of strawberry-flavoured yoghurts, certain ice creams and lipsticks, and some cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate-coloured products.
Is INS 120 (also written as E120) the same thing?+
Yes. INS 120 (the Codex International Numbering System used by FSSAI) and E120 (the European E-number system) refer to the same compound. The digits are identical for almost all common additives. Indian packets may show either form, or the common name (carmine (cochineal)).
This page summarises FSSAI's permission status and JECFA's scientific evaluation. It is not medical or dietary advice. Manufacturer ingredient sourcing can vary, especially for source-dependent additives - the Indian veg/non-veg dot logo on the pack is the brand's declaration. For health decisions, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.
Got a full packet to check?
This page covers INS 120 one additive at a time. To check a full packet's ingredient list against the same FSSAI / JECFA / EFSA-cited dataset, use the Indian Food Ingredient Checker - paste the whole list and get a per-item verdict plus a composite tone (clear / watch / flag / incomplete).