From Biosun FFI Wiki

Carmine and Cochineal Extracts, are anthraquinone pigments of a bright red color obtained from the carminic acid produced by the cochineal insect Dactylopius coccus. Despite the general use of the name Carmine for all carminic acid-based products, Carmine, per se, officially applies only to the calcium or calcium-aluminum lake of carminic acid. This lake usually contains 50+% carminic acid and has a standard of identity, as determined by the FDA and referenced in the CFR. The term Cochineal Extract applies to all other carminic acid blends. The variety of hues that may be obtained can be produced by adjusting the ratio of carminic acid to aluminum. The color is independent of the pH value, obtaining red at pH 4 and bluish-red at pH 10.

Carmine is used as a food dye in many different products such as juice, ice cream, yogurt, eyeshadow, lipsticks, etc. Although principally it is used to obtain a red dye, it may be appplied to many foods in which required shades are pink and purple.

Cochineal extracts offer additional benefits of acid-stability, solubility, clarity and desired hue. These products are favored in beverage applications and juice liquors.

Both products are very stable to heat and light, resistant to oxidation and not affected by sulfur dioxide.