Comparing E120 - Cochineal vs E172II - Red iron oxide
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 456 products
Found in 12 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 6 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 4 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.
Iron oxide gives what planet red color?
Mars—the planet’s red appearance is due to iron oxide dust on its surface.
Iron oxide gives which planet its red color?
Mars; its reddish hue comes from iron oxide (rust) on the surface.
What is iron oxide red?
Iron oxide red is iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3); as a food additive (E172II) it’s an insoluble pigment used to impart red to brown shades.
How to apply red oxide on iron?
For food use, disperse food‑grade red iron oxide (E172II) in water or oil and blend uniformly into coatings or mixes; the “red oxide” metal primer is a paint product and not the food additive.
What is red iron oxide used for?
As E172II, it colors foods with red to brown tones—commonly confectionery and bakery decorations, coatings, seasonings, and tablet/capsule coatings; similar pigments are also used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.