ARTICLE SUMMARY

Carmine (E120, cochineal extract) is considered haram (impermissible) to consume according to the Hanafi school.
Carmine is a bright red dye derived from dried, crushed cochineal insects.
Cochineal insects produce carminic acid, a natural red pigment harvested for carmine dye.
Common names on product labels include cochineal extract, crimson lake, carminic acid, or Natural Red 4.
Carmine is widely used in foods (candies, yogurts, juices) and cosmetics (lipsticks, blushes).
This ruling aligns with the Quranic principle of prohibiting things considered “filthy or repulsive” (7:157).
Cosmetic products applied externally (e.g., blush, shampoos, dyes) are permissible, as carmine itself is ritually pure.
However, lipsticks and lip balms containing carmine are impermissible due to potential ingestion.

Five obligatory knowledge (fard ayn) questions that every Muslim should know. Do you know the answers?

Is Carmine Halal or Haram? Understanding the Islamic Ruling (Hanafi Perspective)

Is carmine halal? For Muslims – particularly those following the Hanafi school of thought – the answer is no: carmine is considered haram (impermissible) for consumption. Carmine is a bright red food and cosmetic dye derived from dried cochineal insects (often listed as E120 or cochineal extract on ingredient labels)seekersguidance.org islamqa.org. The majority of Islamic scholars, including Hanafi jurists, classify insects and their direct extracts as impure and prohibit consuming themseekersguidance.org seekersguidance.org. In this article, we’ll explore what carmine is, why it’s deemed haram in the Hanafi tradition, and how it’s treated in foods vs. non-food products.

‍

Know Your Fiqh?

Five obligatory knowledge (fard ayn) questions that every Muslim should know. Do you know the answers?

Test Yourself Now (60 secs) →

Is Carmine Halal or Haram? Hanafi Stance on Cochineal Red Dye

Is Carmine Halal or Haram? Understanding the Islamic Ruling (Hanafi Perspective)