What is Caramel colour (E150a-E150d)?
Last updated on: 12/22/2025
Sources: WHO, US-FDA, EFSA, FSSAI.
6
/10
Moderate Concern
Generally safe within ADIs, but EFSA recommends tighter control of certain class-specific by-products, and high exposure may exceed ADIs.
CTL SAFETY SCORE
A higher score reflects higher confidence in safety; it is based on regulatory approvals, intake limits, and individual sensitivities data.
Caramel colours are widely used to impart brown colour to foods and beverages. It is produced by the controlled heating of sugar or glucose. They are used to give a brown to dark brown colour in foods and beverages. The four classes (E150a–E150d) differ based on the processing method used.
Safety Summary
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Approved by all major regulators for use in a wide range of foods.
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Permitted globally with specified maximum limits or GMP, depending on the food category.
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Long history of widespread use in foods and beverages.
Who should be cautious?
Children with high dietary exposure; consumers with high intake of coloured beverages; individuals sensitive to sulphites (Class II & IV)
Quick Facts
|
E-Number : |
E150a-E150d |
|
INS Number : |
INS-150a–150d |
|
Category : |
Colour |
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Sub-category : |
Synthetic azo dye |
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Origin : |
Nature-identical |
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Used In : |
Food |
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Alternative Names : |
Caramel Colour I – Plain Caramel (E150a) , Caramel Colour II – Caustic Sulphite Caramel (E150b) , Caramel Colour III – Ammonia Caramel (E150c) , Caramel Colour IV – Sulphite Ammonia Caramel (E150d) |
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Similar Ingredients : |
Annatto (E160b) |
Common Products
You may find it in the following food products:
- Soft drinks,
- Grape wine,
- Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea,
- Frozen battered fish.
Regulatory Approval.
1. Food and drug administration (fDA – USA)
Status |
Usage Limit |
|---|---|
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Approved (GRAS under Good Manufacturing Practice) |
Used in food consistent with Good Manufacturing Practice; no specific numerical limit beyond GMP. |
2. European Food Safety authority (eFSA)
Status |
Usage Limit |
|---|---|
|
Approved (with restrictions) |
Group ADI: 300 mg/kg body weight/day for caramel colours, Individual ADI: 100 mg/kg body weight/day for Class III (E150c) |
3. Food safety and standardization authority India (FSSAI)
Status |
Usage Limit |
|---|---|
|
Approved |
Permitted in specified food categories as per Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations; limits aligned with Codex GSFA and category-wise maximum levels |
Health concerns
- Some caramel colours (especially E150c and E150d) may contain trace by-products such as 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) formed during manufacturing, which results in public concern.
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EFSA has evaluated these compounds and concluded that exposure from authorised food uses does not raise a safety concern at permitted levels.
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Generally well tolerated by the population when consumed within regulatory limits.
- Exposure to some caramel colour classes may exceed the established ADIs in certain population groups.
- EFSA advised lowering exposure and tightening specifications, even though no immediate risk was identified for average consumers
Conclusions
Caramel colours (E150a–E150d) are widely used with a long record of safe use. When manufactured and used according to regulations, they are considered safe for the general population, with regulatory limits in place to manage potential by-products. EFSA flagged exposure concerns for E150c & E150d in its revised 2012 study. It is often avoided in clean-label formulations. It has higher risk perception for frequent soft-drink consumers.