TABLE OF CONTENT

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.
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).
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.

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.

‍

Learn All You Must
Know as a Muslim

Our Scholars

Sheikh Hilal Patel

FIQH EXPERT & scholar

Sheikh Hilal Patel began his studies at Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Bury where he memorised the Qur'an & completed the Alimiyyah program.
‍
He went on to complete the Ifta' Specialisation Program (the process of becoming a Mufti and have the ability to give fatwas) at the world-class Whitethread Institute.
‍
Sheikh Hilal works for Whitethread's Fatwa Centre under Dr Mufti Abdur-Rahman Mangera, Founder & Dean of Whitethread Institute and listed as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the world.

Sheikh Zayd Mehtar

FIQH EXPERT & scholar

Sheikh Zayd Mehtar memorised the Qur’an at a young age at Darul Uloom Bury and went on to master the ten modes of Qur’anic recitation (Qirā’āt).
‍
He went on to complete advanced programmes in Islamic Theology and Jurisprudence at the world-class Whitethread Institute under Dr Mufti Abdur-Rahman Mangera.
‍
Sheikh Zayd has served as an imam for many years and is an experienced teacher of Islamic theology (ʿAqīdah), Qur’an, and Hadith, guiding students and communities in their understanding and practice of Islam