Ingredient

Caramel Color Added: Beef

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Source
Animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add beef caramel color to provide a brown hue to processed foods. It …

What it is

Caramel color added: Beef is a food coloring made from beef. It is produced by heating beef with carbohydrates like dextrose or corn syrup, often with the addition of acids, alkalis, or sulfites to control the color. The process creates brown pigments.

Why it's used

Manufacturers add beef caramel color to provide a brown hue to processed foods. It is commonly found in meat products, gravies, sauces, and soups where a richer, darker color is desired to enhance visual appeal.

Health notes

Caramel color added: Beef is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food coloring. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated caramel colors, but specific evaluations for beef-derived caramel color are not widely detailed. At typical consumption levels, it is not associated with adverse health effects. Some caramel colors (not specifically beef-derived) have been studied for the presence of 4-MEI, a byproduct of certain manufacturing processes, but levels in foods are generally considered safe.

Allergen info

Beef is derived from cattle. While not one of the top 9 major allergens, beef is a source of animal protein and may be a concern for individuals with specific dietary restrictions or allergies to animal products.

Products containing Caramel Color Added: Beef

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DRIVE THRU Jumbo Bacon Cheese Burger Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 47% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 75% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 20% DV per serving 305kcal 11.6Protein 17.2Fat 26.2Carbs Safeway, Inc. Tender Beef With Broccoli, Carrots, Green Beans, Water Chestnuts And Baby Corn In A Teriyaki Sauce Meal For 2, Beef Teriyaki Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 42% DV per serving High in added sugars — 38% DV per serving 83kcal 4.8Protein 1.6Fat 12.2Carbs Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Philly Cheese Steak Seasoned Angus Sliced Beef Steak With Pasteurized Process American Cheese On A Bun Sandwiches, Philly Cheese Steak Frozen Appetizers & Hors D'oeuvres High in sodium — 35% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 25% DV per serving 231kcal 13.8Protein 7.7Fat 26.1Carbs JTM Provisions Company, Inc. Beef Hoagie Kit Frozen Appetizers & Hors D'oeuvres High in sodium — 40% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 45% DV per serving 275kcal 13.4Protein 14.1Fat 26.1Carbs Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. Noodles With Swedish Inspired Beef Dinner Balls, Swedish Inspired Beef Other Deli High in sodium — 20% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 35% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 57% DV per serving 182kcal 6.8Protein 6.5Fat 23.3Carbs Renaissance Food Group, LLC Carne Asada With Cilantro Lime Rice, Carne Asada Other Deli High in sodium — 73% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 22% DV per serving 126kcal 7.1Protein 2.9Fat 17.4Carbs Safeway, Inc. Bourguignon Meatballs With Mashed Potatoes Mashed Potatoes, Beef & Pork Meatballs, Bourguignon Sauce, Carrots, Tomatoes, And Spinach Ready Meals, Bourguignon Meatballs With Mashed Potatoes Other Deli High in sodium — 64% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 45% DV per serving 122kcal 4.5Protein 6.8Fat 10.7Carbs Tyson Foods Inc. AdvancePierre Double Charbroil Beef, Cheese And Grilled Onion Sandwich, 8.11 oz, 12 Pieces, 6 Lbs Meat/Poultry/Other Animals - Prepared/Processed High in sodium — 72% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 63% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 29% DV per serving 268kcal 13.5Protein 13.4Fat 23.3Carbs Cheeseburger Beef Charbroil With Cheese Tyson Foods Inc. Cheeseburger Beef Charbroil With Cheese Meat/Poultry/Other Animals - Prepared/Processed High in sodium — 23% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 37% DV per serving 319kcal 11.9Protein 18.4Fat 26.4Carbs Big AZ Cheeseburger Beef Charbroil With Cheese & Onions Tyson Foods Inc. Big AZ Cheeseburger Beef Charbroil With Cheese & Onions Meat/Poultry/Other Animals - Prepared/Processed High in sodium — 23% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 37% DV per serving 319kcal 12.0Protein 18.4Fat 26.4Carbs Tyson Foods Inc. BaconAddict Cheeseburger Meat/Poultry/Other Animals - Prepared/Processed High in sodium — 26% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 39% DV per serving 322kcal 12.6Protein 19.3Fat 24.4Carbs Giant Beef Charbroil W/Cheese Tyson Foods Inc. Giant Beef Charbroil W/Cheese Meat/Poultry/Other Animals - Prepared/Processed High in sodium — 23% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 37% DV per serving 319kcal 12.0Protein 18.4Fat 26.4Carbs
Caramel Color (13 products) Water (13 products) Salt (13 products) Dextrose (13 products) Sugar (13 products) Spices (12 products) Wheat Flour (11 products) Enzymes (11 products) Niacin (10 products) Seasoning (10 products)

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.