cochineal extract

Asked by michael · July 29, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

Rabbi you wrote in answer to someone asking if cochineal extract is kosher and you wrote yes because its not edible.But isnt there an isur of eating insects? so why wouldnt that apply to this case ? and does carmine have the same status?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Is it a whole insect, or is it just mixed in as an ingredient completely ground or liquefied? The whole issue of insects are when they're whole, even though they're mixed into another product. same for carmine AA