Discover how the cochineal insect's red dye influenced civilizations, from the Aztecs to the British redcoats.

The extract of cochineal tends to come up a lot. The cochineal bugs—a species of scale insect—are a centuries-old colorant. In the 19th century, chemists figured out how to make a synthetic ...

It's easy to assume that all plant-based foods are inherently vegetarian or vegan, but as these examples show, some food items may contain hidden animal products. Always double-check labels, ask about ...

Just look for carmine or cochineal extract on the label to see for yourself. But today, carmine is becoming harder and harder to come by. Some companies like Campari Group, maker of the famous ...

Centuries before the now-banned red dye No. 3 was synthesized in a lab, humans turned to insects to bring a little scarlet, vermillion or burgundy into their foods, fabrics and ...

you can check the product's ingredient list. Carmine can be listed under various names, including Carmine, Cochineal Extract, ...

“It’s also been used as a natural colorant in many foods and cosmetics, sometimes listed on package ingredients as ‘carmine,’ ‘E120,’ ‘cochineal extract’ or ‘Natural Red 4 ...