Caramel Color (E150a) — What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Caramel Color?
Caramel color is one of the most widely used food colorings in the world, produced by heat treatment of sugars. There are four types (E150a–E150d), each made with different processing chemicals. E150a (Plain Caramel) is the simplest form with no added chemicals. E150d (Sulfite-Ammonia Caramel) — used in colas — has been flagged due to a byproduct called 4-MEI.
What Is It Used For?
Provides brown to black coloring to foods and beverages. The primary coloring in cola drinks, beer, soy sauce, gravy, and many other processed foods.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
E150d (sulfite-ammonia caramel) produces a byproduct called 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) during manufacturing. The IARC has classified 4-MEI as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B), though this classification is based on animal studies and the human relevance is debated. The FDA considers caramel color safe at current levels of consumption.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Caramel Color an editorial context label of Caution with a score of 6/10. This is 0.2 points above the database average for colorings (5.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2011.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E150a or 'Caramel Color'
▶Chemical Information
Primary Sources
Source review: 2026-08-08Official references relevant to this page. Check the agency record for current permitted uses, limits and jurisdiction-specific wording.
- European Commission: EU Food Additives Database ↗EU authorisations and conditions of use
- WHO / FAO JECFA: JECFA food-additives database ↗International evaluations and acceptable daily intakes
- European Food Safety Authority: Food colours ↗EFSA colour-additive evaluations and re-evaluation programme
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Additive Status List ↗U.S. food-ingredient regulatory references
Frequently Asked Questions about Caramel Color
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E150a
- INS Number
- 150a
- Category
- Colorings
- Origin
- Natural
- FDA Status
- GRAS
- EFSA Status
- Authorized
- ADI
- No limit
- Dataset Review
- 2011
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Related Additives
Other colorings in the same family