Caramel Color Contains Sulfites

Caramel color is a dark brown food coloring made by heating sugars, often with acids, bases, or salts. The process can involve ammonia or sulfites, which are often listed on the label. It provides a range of brown shades, from light yellow-brown to dark brown.

Manufacturers add caramel color to give foods a brown hue, mimicking the color of cooked or aged products. It is commonly found in baked goods, soft drinks, sauces, gravies, and alcoholic beverages like beer and whiskey.

Caramel color is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. Some types of caramel color produced with ammonia or sulfites can contain small amounts of compounds like 4-MEI, which has raised some public concern. However, regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated caramel colors and found them safe at typical consumption levels. The FDA has stated that the levels of 4-MEI found in foods are not expected to pose a health risk.