Caramel Color Salt

Caramel color salt is a food coloring made by heating sugar with ammonia and sulfites. This process creates a range of brown shades. The 'salt' in the name refers to the salts used in the manufacturing process, not necessarily that salt is added as an ingredient.

Caramel color salt is used to give foods a brown color, ranging from light yellow-brown to dark brown. It is commonly found in baked goods, beverages, sauces, and confectionery.

Caramel color is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. Some forms of caramel coloring, particularly those produced with ammonia or sulfites, can contain compounds like 4-MEI. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated caramel colors and established acceptable daily intake levels. Evidence on the health effects of 4-MEI at typical consumption levels is mixed, and research is ongoing.