What is Caramel Color?

Caramel color is the world's most widely consumed (by weight) food coloring ingredient.  Caramel color results from the controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates (nutritive sweeteners). Its standard of identity is defined by various government authorities.  To learn more, please read the following and if you have any questions, please contact us.

Food Chemicals Codex

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA off-site link)

• U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
  
  1. 21.73.85 Caramel
  2. 21.182.1235 Caramel (GRAS)
  3. 21.582.1235 Caramel (GRAS)
  4. 21.73.1085 Caramel (Pharmaceuticals)
  5. 21.73.2085 Caramel (Cosmetics)
  6. FDA Compliance Policy Guide: Label Declaration
  7. Food Color Facts (FDA)
  8. Wine Labeling (Bureau of ATF&E, Dept. of Justice) 
  9. Organic Labeling Requirements in the U.S. 
     
     
• European Directive for E150a, E150b, E150c, E150d
  
  1. European Union (E.U.) Amendment of Directive 79 / 112 Labelling of Foodstuffs 10 February 1997
  2. European Union (E.U.) Directive 94 / 36 Quantum Satis 30 June 1994
  3. European Union (E.U.) Directive 95/45 Purity Criteria concerning Colors for use in Foodstuffs 26 July 1995
     
  
  
• Chinese National Standard
  
  1. China’s New National Standard of Caramel Color