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Carmine Dye Allergy

Carmine dye is a food coloring agent also known as cochineal extract, crimson lake, Natural Red 4 or carminic acid. It is an extract taken from dried, ground up female cochineal insects, which are small beetles. It has been used for hundreds of years but is now used in commercial food production around the world. It is used to color food either purple, pink, red or orange.

  1. Foods

    • Carmine dye is often used in foods that come in bright, vivid colors such as fruit drinks, popsicles and children's candy. It is also sometimes used in yogurt and alcoholic drink mixes. Other than foods, carmine dye can also be used in products that aren't meant for consumption but must be safe for consumption, such as colored lip gloss.

    Allergies

    • Many instances of people being allergic to carmine dye have been reported by medical journals, and several universities have released studies on these allergies. Most of the people affected began displaying symptoms ranging from difficulty breathing to anaphylactic shock within 15 minutes to two hours of ingesting the dye.

    Severity

    • Carmine dye can result in anaphylactic shock in some people, the most severe allergy symptom. Anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis can include symptoms such as hives, flushing, swelling of the throat, vomiting and irregular heart beats. In some cases, not getting medical help soon enough can result in death. Other severe symptoms of allergies to carmine dye have included asthma, serious skin rashes, painful stomach aches and eyelid swelling.

    Asthma

    • People who work in manufacturing factories that make carmine dye or any of its derivatives can sometimes have occupational asthma, a condition which presents itself after working with irritants or allergens for long periods of time.

    Labeling

    • Carmine dye is technically a natural color and can be referred to as "natural colors" on food labels, making it difficult for those who are allergic to determine which food products are safe, as well as for doctors to determine the cause of an allergic reaction.

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