E120

Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines

E Number E120
Name Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines
Class Colours
Groups Group III: Food colours with combined maximum limit
Additional details Red color
Origin Natural
Common sources insects from cochineal family and some parasites from cactus species.
Common applications Yogurts, dairy products, caramels, candies, gelatin, marmalade, ice creams, pastry, hamburgers, fish and shellfish derivatives, drinks in powder, energetic drinks, chewing gums, meat derivatives, charcuterie, cosmetic products
Observations At high doses, it may induce hyperactivity, asthma, eczemas and insomnia. Several studies indicate that it may be carcinogenic and mutagenic.
Evaluation To avoid

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Conditions of use in food categories

Category Number Category Name Maximum Level (mg/l or mg/kg as appropriate) Details Restrictions/exceptions
01.7.2 Ripened cheese125only red marbled cheese
01.7.5 Processed cheese100Maximum individually or for the combination of E 100, E 102, E 104, E 110, E 120, E 122, E 124, E 160e and E 161bonly flavoured processed cheese
01.7.6 Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16)125only red marbled products
04.2.1 Dried fruit and vegetables200Maximum individually or for the combination of E 120, E 122, E 124, E 129, E 131, E 133only preserves of red fruit
04.2.2 Fruit and vegetables in vinegar, oil, or brine200Maximum individually or for the combination of E 120, E 122, E 124, E 129, E 131, E 133only preserves of red fruit
04.2.3 Canned or bottled fruit and vegetables200Maximum individually or for the combination of E 120, E 122, E 124, E 129, E 131, E 133only preserves of red fruit
04.2.4.1 Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote200Maximum individually or for the combination of E 120, E 122, E 124, E 129, E 131, E 133only preserves of red fruit
04.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC100Maximum individually or in combination with E 104, E 110, E 120, E 124, E 142, E 160d and E 161bexcept chestnut purée
04.2.5.3 Other similar fruit or vegetable spreads100Maximum individually or in combination with E 104, E 110, E 120, E 124, E 142, E 160d and E 161bexcept crème de pruneaux
06.3 Breakfast cereals200E 120, E 162 and E 163 may be added individually or in combinationonly fruit-flavoured breakfast cereals
08.1.2 Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004100only breakfast sausages with a minimum cereal content of 6 % and burger meat with a minimum vegetable and/or cereal content of 4 % mixed within the meat; In these products, the meat is minced in such a way so that the muscle and fat tissue are completely dispersed, so that fibre makes an emulsion with the fat, giving those products their typical appearance
08.2.1 Non-heat-treated processed meat100only sausages
08.2.1 Non-heat-treated processed meat200only chorizo sausage/salchichon
08.2.1 Non-heat-treated processed meatquantum satisonly pasturmas
08.2.2 Heat-treated processed meat100only sausages, pâtés and terrines
08.2.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meatquantum satisonly edible external coating of pasturmas
09.2 Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans100Maximum individually or for the combination of E 102, E 104, E 110, E 120, E 122, E 124, E 142, E 151, E 160e, E 161bonly fish paste and crustacean paste
09.2 Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans250Maximum individually or for the combination of E 102, E 110, E 120, E 122, E 124, E 129, E 142, E 151, E 160e, E 161bonly precooked crustacean
09.2 Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans100Maximum individually or for the combination of E 102, E 110, E 120, E 124, E 151, E 160eonly smoked fish
14.2.7.1 Aromatised wines100In americano E 100, E 101, E 102, E 104, E 120, E 122, E 123, E 124 are authorised individually or in combination In bitter vino E 100, E 101, E 102, E 104, E 110, E 120, E 122, E 123, E 124, E 129 are authorised individually or in combinationonly americano, bitter vino
14.2.7.2 Aromatised wine-based drinks100In bitter soda E 100, E 101, E 102, E 104, E 110, E 120, E 122, E 123, E 124, E 129 are authorised individually or in combinationonly bitter soda