Carmoisine

Carmoisine is a bluish-red artificial azo dye used in confectionery, soft drinks, ice cream and canned fruits, also known as azorubine. Like other synthetic colours, it gives bright, stable hues that natural pigments struggle to match at low cost. Its use is permitted only within set maximum levels and it must appear on ingredient lists so consumers can identify it. Some consumers prefer to avoid azo dyes, and manufacturers increasingly offer naturally coloured alternatives alongside traditional formulations. Regulatory opinions on some azo colours have shifted over time, so manufacturers watch the science closely.