cochineal is one of the few water-soluble colourants to resist degradation with time. it is one of the most light- and heat-stable and oxidation-resistant of all the natural organic colourants and is even more stable than many synthetic food colours. the water-soluble form is used in alcoholic drinks with calcium carmine; the insoluble form is used in a wide variety of products. together with ammonium carmine, they can be found in meat, sausages, processed poultry products (meat products cannot be coloured in the united states unless they are labeled as such), surimi, marinades, alcoholic drinks, bakery products and toppings, cookies, desserts, icings, pie fillings, jams, preserves, gelatin desserts, juice beverages, varieties of cheddar cheese and other dairy products, sauces, and sweets.