Bugging Out

What is Cochineal extract and Carmine? Cochineal extract is dried insect bodies of female Dactylopius Coccus. When processed further you get Carmine. Both are color additives used in foods and cosmetics usually for the red tints found in these products. Because of the concern with reported allergens the Food and Drug Administration is revising the way these two ingredients are listed in food and cosmetic products. Usually products only list artificial color or artificial color added leaving out the name Cochineal or Carmine as the source. In the future cosmetics or foods that use Cochineal extract will need to list the ingredient, in this case, Carmine and Cochineal. This revision will affect cosmetic products used by professional makeup artists throughout the video and film industry, retail salons, television, beauty salons, physicians, aestheticians and photography. You can read more at this website; http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr060130.html

Article Found in Department of Health and Human Services.
Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Labeling: Cochineal Extract and Carmine Declaration