01 / 04What it is
E150d in plain English
Class IV caramel colour. Manufacturing produces 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), classified by IARC as group 2B (possibly carcinogenic). Common in cola drinks and dark sauces.
Caramel colour containing 4-MEI, a possible carcinogen.
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 citationConnected files
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