JUG-2026-1KHCAWEEJF
Ruling on cochineal (carmine) food dye
Question
What's the ruling on food with cochineal dyes? I understand it goes through a process to become the dye, where the insect at the end of that process isn't the insect anymore but a chemical — is it allowed in that case?
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Answer
Carmine is a crimson red pigment derived from Cochineal, a scale insect, by crushing and boiling dried insects in water to extract the carminic acid. It takes about 155,000 insects to make one kilogram of cochineal, used in frozen meat/fish, soft drinks, yoghurts, candy, canned fruit, sauces, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals — labels often use the vaguer term "natural colouring." According to the majority of Shariʿah scholars, the consumption of insects is not permitted, falling under the Quranic principle that Allah permits pure substances and forbids filthy ones (Surah 7:157). Therefore it is impermissible to consume products containing carmine, including cosmetic products like lipstick where there is a strong possibility of intake. The external use of products containing carmine, e.g. shampoos, is permissible. *And Allah Taʿala Knows Best.*
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