Caramel Natural Color

Caramel color is a dark brown food coloring made by heating sugars, such as glucose or fructose, with or without acids, alkalis, or sulfites. This process, called caramelization, creates a range of brown hues depending on the ingredients and conditions used. It is one of the most widely used food colorings globally.

Manufacturers use caramel color to give foods a brown appearance, mimicking the color of cooked or roasted ingredients. It is found in a wide variety of products, including baked goods, beverages, sauces, soups, and confectionery.

Caramel color is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. Some forms of caramel color contain a byproduct called 4-MEI, which has raised concerns. However, regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA have reviewed the evidence, and current levels of exposure from food are not considered a health risk. JECFA has evaluated caramel colors and established specifications for their safe use.