Obtained by aqueous extraction of cochineal, which consists of the dried
bodies of the female insect Dactylopius coccus Costa; the colouring principle
is a hydrated aluminium chelate of carminic acid in which aluminium and
carminic acid are thought to be present in the molar ratio 1:2.
In commercial products the colouring principle is present in association with
ammonium, calcium, potassium or sodium cations, singly or in combination,
and these cations may also be present in excess. Products may also contain
proteinaceous material derived from the source insect, and may also contain
free carminate or a small excess of aluminium cations.