What is Cochineal Carmine or Carmine Dye?
Cochineal carmine, also known as carmine dye, is a sensory additive and natural dye extracted from the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus), mainly found in regions of Peru, such as Ayacucho.
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The dye is valued for its vibrant red hue and is widely used in the food, cosmetics, and even animal feed industries. It is favored for being a natural dye, which makes it a popular choice in a market increasingly concerned with ingredient sourcing.
The production of carmine dye follows strict quality and legal standards. According to Brazil's ANVISA and the Codex Alimentarius, carmine is approved for various applications, always following concentration limits to ensure consumer safety.
History of Cochineal Carmine and Its Color
The history of cochineal carmine dates back centuries, when Andean civilizations used the insect to dye fabrics and create makeup pigments. Peru, particularly its mountainous regions like Ayacucho, has a long tradition of cultivating cochineal.
The dye extracted from this insect became renowned for its intensity and durability and was introduced to the European market during the colonial period. Its vibrant and intense color made it widely used in art, clothing, and eventually, in food and cosmetics.
Its resistance to light and heat has made it a versatile and durable choice for various industries, and the growing demand for natural dyes has positioned cochineal carmine as one of the most widely used dyes in the world today.
How is Cochineal Carmine Dye Produced?
The production of cochineal carmine dye is a meticulous process involving several stages. It begins in the mountainous regions of Peru, where the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus) is cultivated on Opuntia cacti. After a lifecycle of up to 120 days, the insects are manually harvested from the cacti and dried to preserve the carminic acid, the pigment responsible for the intense red color.
The dried insects are ground into a fine powder, which undergoes extraction with specific solvents. The carminic acid, soluble in these solvents, is extracted from the powder and purified using techniques such as filtration and crystallization. The purity of the carminic acid obtained directly influences the quality and intensity of the final carmine dye.
To obtain carmine lake, the purified carminic acid is combined with aluminum salts, such as sodium aluminate. This combination forms a colored complex, insoluble in water, known as lake. The formation of lake gives the dye greater stability, allowing it to be dispersed in various formulations such as foods, cosmetics, and paints. This is the most commercially available form today.
To produce the cochineal carmine dye used in the domestic market, the concentrated carmine lake in carminic acid is mixed with water standardized at a pH of 11.5 and bottled for sale.
Depending on the desired application, carmine can be presented in different physical forms, such as powder, liquid, or paste. The liquid form is made by dispersing the carmine powder in water or an aqueous solution, while the powder form may be produced through dispersion, spraying, or atomization onto carriers like maltodextrin.
Foods Approved for the Use of Cochineal Carmine and Its Functions
According to RDC No. 778, dated March 1, 2023, and Normative Instruction IN No. 211, dated March 1, 2023, cochineal carmine can be used in 71 food applications. Its primary function is as a food coloring, mainly used in dairy products, beverages, candies, confections, and processed meats.
In animal feed, according to Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, it is classified as a sensory additive and approved for use. In addition to providing an attractive red color, carmine offers color stability and resists various industrial processing conditions.
The legislation restricts the use of synthetic dyes in several food categories, making carmine a preferred choice in many sectors of the food industry.
Main Foods Where Carmine Dye is Used and Its Benefits
Cochineal carmine is a versatile natural dye used in a wide range of foods. Its vibrant red color and stability make it popular in:
Dairy Products: Yogurts, especially red fruit varieties, strawberry and cherry ice creams, and desserts like mousses and parfaits.
Processed Meats: Sausages, hot dogs, ham, and other cured meats, where carmine provides an appealing and uniform color.
Confectionery: Gummies, gelatins, cake frostings, and candy fillings.
The main benefits of cochineal carmine compared to other natural dyes include:
Natural and Attractive Color: Carmine provides a vibrant, natural red color, enhancing the visual appeal of products.
Stability: It resists temperature and pH variations, maintaining its intense color during processing and storage.
Versatility: It can be used in various formulations across different pH levels.
Safety: Considered safe for human consumption and approved by regulatory agencies like ANVISA.
Legislation: Growing demand for natural products and restrictions on synthetic dyes drive the use of carmine in the food industry.
How Natural Carmine Dye is Used
In its powdered form, carmine disperses easily in liquids, making it ideal for coloring beverages, dairy products, and liquid mixtures. This form allows for easy dosing and quick incorporation into foods, while water-soluble and fat-soluble forms offer greater practicality for various applications.
Water-soluble carmine dissolves easily in water, perfect for coloring meats, dairy products, and toppings.
Fat-soluble carmine is more suitable for oily products.
In products like cakes and bread, carmine is incorporated directly into the dough, resulting in a uniform and intense color, such as in traditional red cakes. Its ease of blending and temperature stability make it ideal for baking.
In beverages and dairy products, carmine is pre-dissolved in water or other liquids to ensure even distribution. This technique is commonly used in yogurts, ice creams, dairy drinks, and soft drinks, giving them vibrant shades of red and pink.
In the meat industry, carmine plays a crucial role in maintaining the attractive appearance of products. It is added during meat processing, ensuring a uniform and intense red color, similar to fresh meat. This feature is particularly important for products like sausages and cured meats.
Benefits of Cochineal Carmine Dye in the Industry
Cochineal carmine offers numerous benefits for the food and cosmetics industries. First, it is a natural dye, meeting the growing demand for healthier products without artificial additives.
Additionally, its stability under various processing and storage conditions makes it ideal for products that require a longer shelf life, lasting up to 2 years—quite long for a natural dye.
Another important benefit is its resistance to light and heat, ensuring that the color does not degrade easily, keeping products visually appealing over time. Carmine is also very versatile, used in a wide range of products from food and beverages to cosmetics.
As a natural ingredient, it is a growing trend for the coming years. An example of this is the ban on Red Dye No. 3, followed by bans on other synthetic dyes, opening the way for the growth of natural colorants .Being a natural ingredient, this product is part of a growing trend for the coming years. An example of this is the ban on Red Dye No. 3, followed by the prohibition of other synthetic dyes, which paves the way for natural dyes to gain momentum. See more here [https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/30/health/california-food-dye-ban-schools-wellness/index.html].
Cochineal Carmine Dye by Total Ingredientes
At Total Ingredientes, we offer cochineal carmine dye with a strict quality assurance process. Our supply chain begins in cochineal farms in Peru, where we select our suppliers directly at the source.
From there, we work closely with our authorized partner throughout every stage, from farming to industrialization in Lima, where carmine dye is produced in different concentrations to meet market demands.
We comply with the guidelines of ANVISA, Codex Alimentarius, and other international standards, ensuring that our products meet the highest quality criteria. If you're looking for a reliable supplier of carmine dye, contact us and explore our natural dye options for your industry.