Carmine E120
Carmine
This Spanish study confirms the hazards of the food colouring Carmine (E120).
They found that allergic reactions can occur through ingestion, skin contact and inhalation. In one factory that produces carmine they found the incidence of sensitisation and occupational asthma due to carmine to be 48.1% and 18.5%.
Asthma and allergy due to carmine dye
Tabar A, Acero S, Arregui C, Urdanoz M, Quirce S.
An Sist Sanit Navar 2003;26(Suppl 2):65-73.
Carmine Allergy
This study confirms that it is possible to develop asthma from working in food additive production plants. In this study the key offenders were 'carmine' and 'cochineal. The authors recommend that prevention programs to establish permissible levels of airborne allergen are implemented.
Carmine (E-120)-induced occupational asthma revisited.
Tabar-Purroy AI, Alvarez-Puebla MJ, Acero-Sainz S, Garcia-Figueroa BE,
Echechipia-Madoz S, Olaguibel-Rivera JM, Quirce-Gancedo S.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111(2):415-9.