Coated With Caramel Color

Caramel color is a food coloring made by heating sugars, often with acids, alkalis, or sulfites. It can range in color from light yellow to dark brown. There are four classes of caramel color, depending on the heating process and other ingredients used.

Caramel color is used to give foods a brown hue, mimicking the color of cooked or roasted products. It is often found in baked goods, beverages, sauces, and processed meats like pepperoni and ham.

Caramel color is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. Some studies have raised concerns about compounds like 4-MEI, a byproduct of certain caramel color production methods. However, regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA have reviewed caramel color and found it safe at typical consumption levels. The WHO/IARC has classified 4-MEI as possibly carcinogenic to humans, but this classification is based on high doses in animal studies, not typical human exposure.