Color additive (natural)
Also known as: cochineal extract, E120, carminic acid, Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470
Red color additives derived from dried cochineal insects. After documented severe IgE-mediated reactions (including anaphylaxis), the FDA issued a 2009 final rule (effective 2011) requiring these additives to be declared by name on food and cosmetic labels.
This final rule responds to reports of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, to cochineal extract-containing food and carmine-containing food and cosmetics.
FDA's 2009 final rule (effective 2011) requires the color additives cochineal extract and carmine to be declared by their common or usual name on food and cosmetic labels, issued in response to reports of severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.
This case provided evidence of an IgE-dependent mechanism and draws attention to the triggering dose of carmine (1 mg).
A peer-reviewed case report of food anaphylaxis following carmine ingestion, providing evidence of an IgE-dependent mechanism and identifying a triggering dose as low as ~1 mg.
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