E150c Ammonia Caramel — Is it safe?

01 / 04What it is

E150c in plain English

Class III caramel made with ammonia compounds. Manufacturing can yield 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic (group 2B).

Ammonia-process caramel colour that can contain 4-MEI.

02 / 04Why it's used

A colour, not a flavour.

To restore or intensify colour lost during processing — and to make a product look more appealing on the shelf than its ingredients deserve.

colourant

03 / 04Health concerns

Mixed evidence — worth knowing.

Mixed evidence — some regulators restrict, others permit.

04 / 04Regulatory status

How the world's regulators rule

Australia · FSANZ: Permitted
Banned jurisdictions: None recorded
Filtr risk tier: Moderate
Filtr score penalty: −3 points
Category: Colourant

Sources & further reading

01 citation

IARC Monographs
monographs.iarc.who.int

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