Skip to content
Home » What How Why » What is E122 (Carmoisine) And Is It Vegan? [2023] | Detailed Guide

What is E122 (Carmoisine) And Is It Vegan? [2023] | Detailed Guide

What is E122 (Carmoisine) And Is It Vegan

Carmoisine (E122) is a food additive that is made from coal tar. It is a red dye that is used to add color to food products. There are many people who are wondering if carmoisine is vegan.

Carmoisine is not vegan because it is made from coal tar. However, there are some companies that are now making carmoisine from plants instead of coal tar. So, it is possible to find carmoisine that is vegan. But, you will need to do your research to find out which brands are vegan.

Carmoisine is not the only red dye that is used in food products. There are other dyes that are also made from plants. Some of these dyes include beetroot extract (E162), carmine (E120), and annatto (E160b).  The E122 is a coloring agent that’s used in several different products, both food and non-food consumer goods.

So, it is possible to find red food products that do not contain carmoisine and are vegan.

It has been in use since the late 19th century. It was first used as a dye for clothing and textiles before being approved for use in food products by the FDA in 1949.

It is commonly used in food products such as sweets, ice cream, and cake mixes. Carmoisine has also been used to color other products such as cosmetics and drugs. However, it has since been banned from use in these items due to concerns about allergic reactions that can occur when inhaled or ingested.

Must Read: Vegan Options at Taco Cabana

Is E122 (Carmoisine/Azorubine) Vegan?

While the ingredient is not derived from an animal product, It’s derived from animal by-products, so it’s definitely vegan/vegetarian.

Browse More On Relevant Stuff:   What Is E153 And Is It Vegan? | Complete Answer (2023)

However, it does appear that this ingredient can be produced in non-animal ways as well which means there may be some manufacturers who produce an animal-free version of the dye!

It’s important to note that E122, just like all other food additives, is not required to be listed on the product label.  This means you may be eating it without knowing!

So is E122 (Carmoisine/Azorubine) vegan? While the ingredient is not derived from an animal product, it is produced through a process that uses animal products.  due to it being part of the Azo Dye family that’s derived from Coal Tar it’s definitely vegan/vegetarian.

However, it does appear that this ingredient can be produced in non-animal ways as well which means there may be some manufacturers who produce an animal-free version of the dye. It’s important to note that E122, just like all other food additives, is not required to be listed on the product label.

What Foods/Products contain E122?

Many different kinds of food products are colored by carmoisine. Examples would be food coloring red velvet cake mix, cherry cobbler recipes, maraschino cherries, grapefruit sections or grapefruit drink.

It’s also used in food dyes for candy, jams and jelly; its particular shade makes it useful for these purposes – the bright pink color is part of what defines “red” raspberry jam.

If a food is red in color and has been processed but isn’t glossy, it’s most likely E122 rather than Carmine or other non-vegan alternatives to E122.

The FDA has approved carmoisine as safe for human consumption so long as it is not ingested by children or pregnant women in amounts exceeding 0.25 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

Carmoisine is banned in Norway, Sweden, and Japan because it has been found to cause cancer in rats.

The jury is still out on whether or not carmoisine causes cancer in humans, but as with all food additives, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Browse More On Relevant Stuff:   Are Nerds Vegan? [2023] | Full Information

Read More: Why Should You Invest In Vegan Startups in 2023?

Frequently Asked Question:

Is Carmoisine vegan?

The answer is a resounding “maybe.” Since carmoisine is not derived from an animal product, it can be considered a vegan food additive. This means that products that contain this dye are also technically vegan-friendly.

However, just because something is technically vegan doesn’t mean that everyone will feel comfortable eating it. Some people may choose to avoid certain products for ethical reasons, even though they may contain no animal ingredients whatsoever.

What is Carmoisine?

Carmoisine is a synthetic coal tar dye that has been used in the food industry since around 1885. It’s also known as E122 and approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use as a food coloring agent. Carmoisine is often used to add red coloration to foods like candies, beverages and other confectioneries.

It’s also found in fruit snacks, cereals, ice creams and yogurts which makes it hard for vegans who avoid all animal products because they are concerned about their health or ethics of eating animal by-products.

Is E122 harmful?

Maybe.  There is no evidence to suggest that carmoisine is harmful in any way, but there are some caveats. Carmoisine contains a small amount of the compound benzidine which has been found to cause cancer when ingested regularly and over long periods of time.

However, since this dye only makes up less than one percent by weight (or volume?) of most food products, the amount of benzidine that a person would ingest is negligible.

What is Carmoisine made from?

The E122 is produced from coal tar, like other Azo Dyes, and is also known as Carmoisine and/or Azorubine, depending on the nation in which the substance is utilized and the context in which it’s mentioned.

Read More: What is Stearic Acid and Is it Vegan or Not?

Browse More On Relevant Stuff:   5 Cooking Apps You Should Get To Let Your Inner Chef Shine In The Kitchen

Conclusion:

 So, is Carmoisine vegan? The answer to that question is a little complicated. Carmoisine is not an animal-based product, but it is made using coal tar which can contain some animal products.

If you are looking for a vegan-friendly food coloring, there are options available, such as beetroot juice or turmeric. However, if you don’t have any dietary restrictions and don’t mind consuming carmoisine derived from animals, then it is technically vegan.

As always, it’s important to do your own research and make the best decision for you.

Thanks for reading! I hope this article was helpful. If you have any comments or suggestions please comment down below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *