Where does red dye come from?

Red dye can come from both natural and synthetic sources. Historically, natural red dyes were derived from insects, such as cochineal, which produces carminic acid, and from plants like madder root. Today, many red dyes are synthetic, created through chemical processes to ensure consistency and safety in food and textiles. Common synthetic red dyes include Red 40 (Allura Red), which is widely used in food products.