Caramel Swirl Sweetened Condensed Milk

Caramel swirl is a confection made by heating sugar until it caramelizes, then adding dairy products like milk or cream, and sometimes butter. This mixture is cooked until it reaches a thick, syrupy consistency and a rich brown color.

Manufacturers add caramel swirl to provide a sweet, rich flavor and a distinct brown color to foods. It is commonly found in ice cream, yogurt, baked goods, and confectionery items.

Caramel swirl is primarily composed of sugar and dairy. High intake of added sugars is linked to increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated the safety of caramel colorings, which are often used to achieve the brown hue in caramel swirl, and have established acceptable intake levels. However, some caramel colorings (Class III and IV) contain 4-MEI, a compound that has raised some public health concerns, though JECFA has stated that current levels in food are not a safety concern.