Insect-Derived Food Additives: E120, E904 and Other Hidden Ingredients
Not all insects in your food are whole or ground into flour. Some hide behind an E-number on the ingredient list — a food additive quietly derived from crushed or processed insects. Here is what these additives are, where they turn up, and how to recognise them.1. What is an insect-derived food additive?
Food additives are substances added to food to colour, preserve, thicken or otherwise modify it, and each additive authorised in the EU is assigned an E number for labelling. A handful of these E numbers are derived from insects rather than plants, minerals or synthetic sources. Because the label only has to show the additive's name or E number — not its biological origin — most consumers have no idea they are eating an insect-derived ingredient.2. E120 – Carmine (Cochineal Extract)
Carmine, also listed as "cochineal", "cochineal extract", "natural red 4" or "E120", is a red dye obtained by crushing and drying female cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus). It takes roughly 70,000 insects to produce just one kilogram of dye.Where to find it:
- Red and pink candies
- Fruit yogurts and desserts
- Some sodas and fruit drinks
- Processed meats and sausages (for their red colour)
- Certain sauces and jams
3. E904 – Shellac
Shellac ("E904", also called "confectioner's glaze" or "resinous glaze") is a resin secreted by the lac bug (Kerria lacca) on tree branches in South and Southeast Asia. The resin is scraped off, purified and melted into flakes used as a glossy coating.Where to find it:
- Chocolate-coated candies and sugar-coated sweets (for their shine)
- Coated chewing gum
- Waxed fresh fruit (apples, citrus)
- Some pharmaceutical tablet and supplement coatings
- Coffee beans (occasionally, for shine)
4. Other lesser-known insect derivatives
Beyond E120 and E904, a few other substances are worth knowing:- E901 – Beeswax: used as a glazing agent on candies and fruit; strictly a bee product rather than an "insect additive" in the allergenic sense, but often grouped with them.
- Chitin / Chitosan: a fibre extracted from the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, increasingly used in some dietary supplements and, in a few countries, as a fining agent for wine and beer.
- Whole insect protein and insect flour: not additives in the technical sense, but a distinct and fast-growing category — see our dedicated guide to insect flour for details.
5. Why these additives go unnoticed
E numbers are anonymous by design: "E120" tells you nothing about cochineal, and "E904" says nothing about lac bugs. Regulations require these additives to be listed, but not necessarily flagged as insect-derived — a particular concern for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone eating for religious or ethical reasons who assumes an E-number is automatically plant-based or synthetic.6. How to check your products
- Scan the barcode with the Insect Scan app for an instant analysis
- Look for "carmine," "cochineal," "natural red 4" or "E120" on ingredient lists
- Look for "shellac," "confectioner's glaze," "resinous glaze" or "E904"
- Remember that these additives can appear in products with no other insect ingredients at all
- For a wider view of the insects and insect derivatives found in food, see our complete list of insects in food, and learn generally how to know if food contains insects
In summary
E120 (carmine) and E904 (shellac) are the two most common food additives derived from insects, used respectively as a red colourant and a glossy coating. They are legal and regulated, and for E120 in particular, a recognised allergy risk for people sensitive to shellfish or dust mites. The only reliable way to know if your food contains them is to read the label carefully — or let the Insect Scan app do it for you.- E120 = carmine/cochineal, a red dye
- E904 = shellac, a glossy coating
- Both are legal in the EU but must appear on ingredient lists
- Scan your products with Insect Scan to check instantly