6 Foods You Didn’t Know Are Coloured With Crushed Bugs (Yes, Really)

Have you ever checked the label on your favourite red foods or drinks? What if I told you that vibrant red colour might not come from berries, but from crushed bugs?

Yep, you read that right. There’s a little-known ingredient lurking in many foods called cochineal, and it’s far from vegan-friendly.

Let’s dive into the surprising world of foods coloured with cochineal (also called carmine or E120).

Spoiler: you’re probably eating it without even realising it. Don’t worry, we’ve got tips on how to spot it (and avoid it)!

What Exactly Is Cochineal?

Cochineal is a red dye made by crushing tiny insects found on cacti, mainly in South America. The bugs are harvested, dried and then boiled to extract their vibrant red pigment, which is turned into carmine.

While it’s often marketed as a “natural colour,” it’s FAR from plant-based.

Think about it, 70,000 insects are crushed just to produce one pound of cochineal dye. Imagine the scale of insect farming and the environmental impact behind that bright red colour in your food or makeup. For anyone looking to live more ethically, that’s a huge reason to rethink products containing it.

Why Do Companies Use It?

Why would companies even think about using crushed bugs in food? Turns out, cochineal is:

• Cheap: Extracting it costs less than producing synthetic or plant-based dyes.
• Stable: It doesn’t break down easily, even in processed foods.
• Intense: Its vibrant red hue is a favourite for making products pop.

While plenty of vegan-friendly alternatives exist (and we’ll get to those shortly), sadly, cochineal remains a go-to choice for many food and cosmetic manufacturers.

The 6 Everyday Foods That Contain Cochineal

Cochineal might sound like an obscure ingredient, but it’s surprisingly common in everyday products. This bug-based dye hides in plain sight, from sweet treats to savoury spreads.

Here are six foods where you’re most likely to find it, plus tips on spotting and avoiding it.

1. Sweets and Gummies

Who doesn’t love a packet of sweets? But those bright red or pink gummies aren’t as innocent as they look.

Brands like Haribo Tangfastics often use cochineal to achieve their colours. Even some “natural” brands sneak it in under the radar, like certain flavours of Jelly Belly jelly beans, especially red and pink varieties. Red and pink gummy bears from various manufacturers frequently use this dye too.

Pro Tip: For vegan-friendly sweets, brands like Candy Kittens, Jealous Sweets and Veggie Percy Pigs (available at Marks & Spencer) are excellent bug-free choices.

Many supermarkets also carry their own vegan-friendly jelly sweets. Check out Aldi for vegan gummy sweets similar to Candy Kittens and Percy Pigs!

For a homemade alternative, try creating your own gummies using agar-agar and natural fruit juices for flavour and colour!

2. Strawberry and Raspberry Yoghurts

That creamy strawberry yoghurt in your fridge? There’s a good chance it’s hiding cochineal. Many dairy-based yoghurts use E120 to achieve that “just-picked” pink hue, with well-known brands like Müller among those commonly including it.

Pro Tip: Switch to Alpro or other plant-based yoghurts like Coconut Collab, Koko or Oatly, which avoid using animal-derived dyes.

3. Red-Coloured Drinks

Fruit punches, strawberry lemonades and some fizzy drinks often owe their colour to cochineal. Popular UK brands like Rubicon and supermarket own-label drinks sometimes use it, especially in “natural” ranges.

Pro Tip: Double-check the label or opt for brands like Cawston Press, Belvoir Farm and Innocent.

4. Ice Cream and Sorbet

That vibrant raspberry sorbet or strawberry ice cream could be hiding a secret. Carmine is often used to make these frozen treats pop with colour, even in premium or luxury brands.

Pro Tip: Opt for fully vegan brands like Booja-Booja (known for their rich, creamy textures) or Swedish Glace (available in most UK supermarkets). Many supermarkets also offer their own vegan-friendly ice cream ranges.

5. Cakes and Pastries

Bright red icing, pink sprinkles or fruit-filled pastries can all contain cochineal. Even some red velvet cakes, often assumed to be coloured with cocoa or beetroot, may actually get their signature hue from insect-derived dyes. This makes label-checking crucial, especially for store-bought baked goods.

Pro Tip: In their recipes, many vegan bakers use plant-based alternatives like freeze-dried strawberry or raspberry powder for both colour and flavour.

6. Jams and Spreads

Many strawberry, raspberry or cherry jams use cochineal to enhance their bright red appearance. Even spreads marketed as “homemade-style” or “natural” might contain it, so label-checking is essential.

Pro Tip: Look for brands like Meridian, St. Dalfour or Bonne Maman, which offer vegan-friendly options that rely on plant-based colours.

Other great choices include supermarket-own vegan ranges like Sainsbury’s Free From Jam or Tesco’s Plant Chef Fruit Spread.

Some jams naturally achieve their red hue using fruit concentrates or beetroot extract, so “natural colourings” don’t always mean cochineal. Always check for vegan certification or transparency in the ingredient list.

How to Spot Cochineal in Your Food

Reading labels is key to avoiding cochineal. Here’s how you can identify it:

• E120: Commonly listed in European products.
• Carmine or Carminic Acid: The most recognizable names for cochineal.
• Natural Red 4: Often mistaken as plant-based, but it’s derived from insects.
• Natural Colouring: A vague term that can still mean cochineal unless the product explicitly states it’s vegan or plant-based.

For a quick and reliable check, look for the Vegan Society label, which certifies that the product is free of animal-derived ingredients, including cochineal. This label is an easy and trustworthy way to confirm a product’s vegan credentials.

Pro Tip: If a label is unclear, contact the manufacturer or consult apps like Is It Vegan? or FoodSwitch to make informed decisions.

Vegan-Friendly Alternatives to Cochineal

Luckily, plenty of plant-based alternatives can create vibrant red hues without harming a single bug. These include:

• Beetroot Powder: Naturally vibrant and easy to use in baking and cooking. It’s perfect for red velvet cakes, frostings or smoothies.
• Paprika Extract: A versatile spice that provides a warm red hue, ideal for savoury dishes like soups and sauces.
• Hibiscus: Known for its rich red colour, hibiscus can be used to naturally dye teas, desserts and even sweets.
• Pomegranate Juice: A natural and flavourful option for drinks, marinades, and desserts, giving a fruity touch alongside its colour.

Pro Tip: When shopping, look for products labelled with these natural colourants instead of generic “natural colouring.” Many vegan-certified brands now prioritise these alternatives to ensure ethical and plant-based production.

Bonus: Cochineal Beyond Food

While cochineal is often associated with food, it also sneaks into cosmetics. Many red lipsticks, blushes and eyeshadows achieve their vibrant hues with carmine. For vegans and anyone conscious about their beauty products, this raises ethical concerns.

How to Spot It in Makeup:

• Look for “carmine,” “cochineal extract,” or “E120” on the ingredients list.
• Opt for vegan-certified brands like e.l.f. Cosmetics, Axiology and Lush, which offer bug-free alternatives.

Pro Tip: Use apps like Think Dirty or consult resources like Ethical Elephant to confirm whether your beauty products are truly vegan.

Check out popular beauty retailers like Superdrug, which has an extensive vegan range.

The Bottom Line

Surprised by what’s in your food? You’re not alone. Cochineal might be natural, but it’s far from vegan. By learning how to spot it and choosing better alternatives, you can keep your meals bug-free and fully plant-based.

Next time you’re reaching for a snack or drink, take a moment to check the label. And hey, why not share this with a friend who might be unknowingly munching on crushed insects? Together, we can create a world where vibrant colours come from plants, not bugs. Now that’s a brighter future worth celebrating!

Related Posts:

• 14 Sneaky Ingredients Vegans Shouldn’t Overlook on Nutrition Labels
• Vegans Beware: These Popular Beers Contain Fish!
• The Little-Known Skincare Ingredients That Aren’t Vegan