Comparing E120 - Cochineal vs E126 - Ponceau 6R

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Overview

E120 - Cochineal

Cochineal (E120) is a natural red food color made from the cochineal insect. It adds pink to deep red shades to drinks, dairy, candies, and more, and is regulated for safety and labeling in many countries. Some people are allergic, and it is not suitable for vegan or vegetarian diets.

E126 - Ponceau 6R

Ponceau 6R (E126) is a synthetic red azo dye that was historically used to color foods and drinks. Today it is not approved for use as a food color in major markets like the European Union and the United States, so you are unlikely to see it on modern ingredient lists in those regions.

Synonyms

E120

Cochineal

carminic acid

carmines

Natural Red 4

Cochineal Red

E126

Ponceau 6R

Functions

colour

Origins

Animal

Synthetic

Products

Found in 456 products

Found in 0 products

Search rank & volume

#6147.3K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#425100 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×14.99

over-aware

Awareness data is not available.

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 6 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

What foods contain cochineal?
It’s used to color red/pink foods such as strawberry yogurts and dairy drinks, ice creams, candies and confections, jams and glazes, bakery icings, soft drinks/liqueurs, and sometimes processed meats or seafoods. On labels it may appear as “carmine,” “cochineal extract,” or E120.
Is cochineal extract bad for you?
No—major regulators permit it and consider it safe at typical food-use levels, though a small number of people can have allergic reactions (occasionally severe).
What is cochineal extract?
A natural red colorant obtained from dried cochineal insects; its main coloring compound is carminic acid. It may be converted to the aluminum lake form (carmine) for greater stability.
Is cochineal safe to eat?
Yes—within permitted levels it’s considered safe; the acceptable daily intake is 0–5 mg/kg body weight per day (as carminic acid). Rare allergies can occur, and it’s animal‑derived so not suitable for vegetarians/vegans.
What is cochineal used for?
To provide red to pink shades in foods and drinks (e.g., confectionery, beverages, dairy products, desserts) as a stable natural colorant.