Comments on: Is Carmine Vegan? | What Vegans Need to Know About Carmine

By: Lorena

Lorena — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 11:50:48 +0000

While I am always an advocate cruelty-free products, to call the production of carmine “cruelty” is definitely a stretch. Cochineal are parasites- not only are they incapable of pain but the harvesting of them is hardly a loss. Furthermore, the discourse around cochineal and carmine in the vegan community always seems to be centered around the very Western attitude of “ew bugs! Gross”. Insects have been harvested for food for many years in many cultures, and are by far more sustainable than eating meat. They pack a lot of protein in small quantities, and take up little water and resources, as opposed to livestock and even some agricultural products (like almonds). I think the biggest issue in including carmine in products is the lack of transparency regarding labels and ingredient names for people who are allergic- but to act like carmine itself is the problem is a slippery slope.

By: Juli Rogers

Juli Rogers — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:00:54 +0000

In reply to Alicia. It took me years to figure out I was allergic to this pigment. Each exposure causing a worse and longer lasting reaction. Some products just list “natural color” - it’s not a chemical!

By: Alicia

Alicia — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 03:09:03 +0000

If I use a product on my eyes with this ingredient present, I have an allergic reaction. My eyes burn, itch, and water. I have to take benedryl. ughhhhh all the colors I love contain this pigment unless I buy vegan eye products

By: suzandra mcketchnie

suzandra mcketchnie — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 23:46:08 +0000

THANK YOU!! OMG It is so hard to figure out what the other names of Carmine are.

By: Lulu

Lulu — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:54:12 +0000

Thanks for the chart! I am allergic, having learned this only after ingesting pasta with Carmine as the color dye (not a good day). Anyways, the graphic you made is super helpful since like you I can never remember every name and I instead avoid products a may like if I am at all concerned.
I had problems with my favorite color of lipstick from Burts Bees and it wasn’t until the pasta incident that I found out why it bothered my lips. Now I’ve seen it in May other makeup brands and it’s really disappointing. But I do think there is hope as I see more brands trying to stick with cruelty free products.

By: Victor

Victor — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 18:24:56 +0000

Thank you. It found out lot of interesting for me and changed my mind about carmine.

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 20:10:20 +0000

I recently learned that Carmine is in my favorite candy —Good and Plenty —one of the oldest candy – coating of bugs in pink and white covered licorice .. sickening .

By: Myte

Myte — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 22:17:51 +0000

I most definitely check for Carmine especially in eye shadow products. It makes my eyes burn then swell and turn red bright red eyes. Then the skin peels.
It’s horrifying tge reaction I get. Yes I’m an allergic one which means no ABH RENAISSANCE for me .

By: Bhutan

Bhutan — Mon, 06 May 2019 07:47:56 +0000

No killing of carmine bugs just to obtain 1 pound of red dye to sacrifice 70,000 of bugs ??
I will stop using all the red colors products such as the fabrics, food / beverages with red color dye ( cakes,yogurt, tomato sauce,etc), clothes and even papers. Instead using other kind of colors particularly primary colors ( yellow , blue , green). No secondary colors also such as purple , orange and brown. I will play my role mercifully as a human to save the bugs

By: K

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 11:14:33 +0000

I Always check n avoid products that contain carmine