Carmine dye and cochineal extract: hidden allergens no more

摘要: Carmine dye and cochineal extract are red colorants derived from the dried, gravid bodies of Dactylopius cocus costa insect that grows on prickly pear cactus. They widely used commercially to color foods, drugs, cosmetics, textiles.1–5 The colors classified by Food Drug Administration (FDA) as “exempt certification” and, until recently, not required be listed labels foods which they added.2,6 In contradistinction FDA-certified synthetic (eg, Federal Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act [FDC † Division Allergy Clinical Immunology, University Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Disclosures: Authors have nothing disclose. Received for publication January 27, 2009; in revised form February 17, Accepted 18, 2009.