Caramel I – plain caramel

E number E150aINS 150a

Listed as a colour by Codex and the EU.

Listed as colours (EU, Codex)

Plain caramel is the simplest of the four caramel colour classes, made by heating carbohydrates without ammonium or sulfite compounds. It gives the brown colour in spirits, vinegars, baked goods and some sauces.

Where it is and isn’t permitted

Status of Caramel I – plain caramel by jurisdiction. Every jurisdiction this site covers is listed, including those where the substance does not appear.
JurisdictionStatusScope and limitsCitation
Australia and New ZealandFood Standards Australia New ZealandPermitted, with conditions

50 food categories

highest permitted level 1,000 mg/kg

Show every food category
  • 0.2 Colourings — GMP
  • 0.3 Flavourings — GMP
  • 1.1.2 Liquid milk products and flavoured liquid milk — GMP
  • 1.2.2 Fermented milk products and rennetted milk products — GMP
  • 1.3 Condensed milk and evaporated milk — GMP
  • 1.4.2 Cream products (flavoured, whipped, thickened, sour cream etc) — GMP
  • 1.5 Dried milk, milk powder, cream powder — GMP
  • 1.6 Cheese and cheese products — GMP
  • 11.1.1 Rainbow sugar — GMP
  • 11.4 Tabletop sweeteners — GMP
  • 12.1.2 Reduced sodium salt mixture — GMP
  • 12.1.3 Salt substitute — GMP
  • 12.3 Vinegars and related products — GMP
  • 12.5 Yeast and yeast products — GMP
  • 12.6 Vegetable protein products — GMP
  • 13.3 Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foods — GMP
  • 13.4 Formulated supplementary sports foods — GMP
  • 13.5 Food for special medical purposes — GMP
  • 14.1.1.2 Carbonated, mineralised and soda waters — GMP
  • 14.1.2.1 Fruit and vegetable juices — GMPFor juice separated by other than mechanical means only.
  • 14.1.2.2 Fruit and vegetable juice products — GMP
  • 14.1.3 Water based flavoured drinks — GMP
  • 14.1.4 Formulated Beverages — GMP
  • 14.2.1 Beer and related products — GMP
  • 14.2.2 Wine, sparkling wine and fortified wine — GMP
  • 14.2.3 Wine based drinks and reduced alcohol wines — GMP
  • 14.2.4 Fruit wine, vegetable wine and mead (including cider and perry) — 1,000 mg/kg
  • 14.2.4.1 Fruit wine products and vegetable wine products — GMP
  • 14.2.5 Spirits and liqueurs — GMP
  • 14.3 Alcoholic beverages not included in item 14.2 — GMP
  • 2.1 Edible oils essentially free of water — GMPNot for olive oil.
  • 2.2.1.2 Butter products — GMP
  • 2.2.1.3 Margarine and similar products — GMP
  • 2.2.2 Oil emulsions (<80% oil) — GMP
  • 20 Foods not included in items 0 to 14 — GMP
  • 3 Ice cream and edible ices — GMP
  • 4.3 Processed fruits and vegetables — GMP
  • 5.1 Chocolate and cocoa products — GMPPermitted on the surface of chocolate only.
  • 5.2 Sugar confectionery — GMP
  • 5.4 Icings and frostings — GMP
  • 6.3 Processed cereal and meal products — GMP
  • 6.4 Flour products (including noodles and pasta) — GMP
  • 7 Breads and bakery products — GMP
  • 8.2 Processed meat, poultry and game products in whole cuts or pieces — GMP
  • 8.3 Processed comminuted meat, poultry and game products, other than products listed in item 8.3.2 — GMPNot for sausage or sausage meat containing raw, unprocessed meat.
  • 8.4 Edible casings — GMP
  • 8.5 Animal protein products — GMP
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fish products — GMP
  • 9.3 Semi preserved fish and fish products — GMP
  • 9.4 Fully preserved fish including canned fish products — GMP
Food Standards Code, Schedule 15, S15—5and 49 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-17
CanadaHealth CanadaNo listing matchedHealth Canada’s lists name additives without E or INS numbers, so this site matches them by exact name. A substance listed there under a name this site does not recognise has no row here.
European UnionEuropean Commission / EFSAPermitted, with conditions

57 food categories

Show every food category
  • 1.4 flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. Note 74: Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 15 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 1.5 dehydrated milk as defined by directive 2001/114/ec — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. except unflavoured products.
  • 1.6.3 other creams — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured creams.
  • 1.7.1 unripened cheese excluding products falling in category 16 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured unripened cheese.
  • 1.7.3 edible cheese rind — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 1.7.4 whey cheese — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 1.7.5 processed cheese — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured processed cheese.
  • 1.7.6 cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured unripened products.
  • 1.8 Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.3 Vinegars and diluted acetic acid (diluted with water to 4-30 % by volume) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis.
  • 12.4 Mustard — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.5 Soups and broths — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.6 Sauces — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. excluding tomato-based sauces.
  • 12.7 Salads and savoury-based sandwich spreads — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.9 Protein products excluding products covered in category 1 8 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 13.2 Foods for special medical purposes as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 (excluding products from food category 13.1.5.) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 13.3 Total diet replacement for weight control food as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.1 beer and malt beverages — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. E 150a,b,d. Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel.
  • 14.2.1 beer and malt beverages — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.3 Cider and perry — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. excluding cidre bouché, cydr jakościowy, perry jakościowe, cydr lodowy, perry lodowe.
  • 14.2.3 Cider and perry — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only cidre bouché.
  • 14.2.4 Fruit wine and made wine — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. excluding wino owocowe jakościowe.
  • 14.2.5 Mead — quantum satisquantum satis. miód pitny jakościowy can only contain E 150a made from honey’.
  • 14.2.5 Mead — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. except miód pitny jakościowy’.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/787 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. except: spirit drinks as defined in categories 1-17, 22, 36, 37 and 41 of Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/787 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. except: spirit drinks as defined in categories 15-17, 22, 36, 37 and 41 of Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 category 2 of Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 can only contain E 150a category 1, 3-8, 10-14 of Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 can only contain added caramel as a means of adjusting the colour.
  • 14.2.7.1 Aromatised wines — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.7.2 Aromatised wine-based drinks — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. except sangria, clarea, zurra.
  • 14.2.7.3 Aromatised wine-product cocktails — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.8 Other alcoholic beverages including mixtures of alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages and other alcoholic beverages based on distilled alcohol with alcoholic strength by volume less than 15 % — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 15.2 Processed nuts — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 17.2 food supplements supplied in a liquid form excluding food supplements for Infants and young children — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014 only food supplements in syrup form. Note 69: Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 18.2 Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 18.3 Food specially produced to reduce the gluten content of gluten-containing ingredients or substitute the gluten-containing ingredients — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 4.2.1 dried fruit and vegetables — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only preserves of red fruit.
  • 4.2.2 fruit and vegetables in vinegar oil or brine — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only vegetables (excluding olives).
  • 4.2.3 canned or bottled fruit and vegetables — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only preserves of red fruit.
  • 4.2.4.1 fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — quantum satisquantum satis. Only seaweed based fish roe analogues.
  • 4.2.4.1 fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. only mostarda di frutta.
  • 4.2.4.1 fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only preserves of red fruit.
  • 4.2.5 jam jellies and marmalades and similar products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. except chestnut puree.
  • 4.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. except chestnut purée.
  • 4.2.5.3 other similar fruit or vegetable spreads — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. except crème de pruneaux.
  • 5.2 Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note 72: Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 70 mg/kg. As a derogation to this rule, the maximum limit only for microsweets shall be 40 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 6.3 breakfast cereals — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. only breakfast cereals other than extruded, puffed and/or fruit flavoured breakfast cereals.
  • 6.5 Noodles — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 6.6 Batters — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 6.7 pre-cooked or processed cereals — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 7.1 Bread and rolls — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only malt bread.
  • 7.2 Fine bakery wares — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 8.2 Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only breakfast sausages with a minimum cereal content of 6 %, burger meat with a minimum vegetable and/or cereal content of 4 % mixed within the meat (in these products, the meat is minced in such a way so that the muscle and fat tissue are completely dispersed, so that fibre makes an emulsion with the fat, giving those products their typical appearance), merguez type products, s alsicha fresca, mici, butifarra fresca, longaniza fresca and chorizo fresco.
  • 8.3.1 Non-heat-treated processed meat — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only sausages.
  • 8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only sausages, patés and terrines.
  • 8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. except edible external coating of pasturmas.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. only surimi and similar products and salmon substitutes based on Theragra chalcogramma, Pollachius virens and Clupea harengus.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Caramels. quantum satis. only fish paste and crustacean paste.
  • 9.3 fish roe — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II, Colours atquantum satis. quantum satis. except Sturgeons' eggs (Caviar).
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 56 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18
Great BritainFood Standards Agency / Food Standards ScotlandPermitted, with conditions

61 food categories

Show every food category
  • 1.4 Flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (74): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 15 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 1.5 Dehydrated milk as defined by Directive 2001/114/EC — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. except unflavoured products.
  • 1.6.3 Other creams — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured creams.
  • 1.7.1 Unripened cheese excluding products falling in category 16 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured unripened cheese.
  • 1.7.3 Edible cheese rind — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 1.7.4 Whey cheese — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 1.7.5 Processed cheese — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured processed cheese.
  • 1.7.6 Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only flavoured unripened products.
  • 1.8 Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only seasonings, for example curry powder, tandoori Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (70): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 120 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 12.3 Vinegars and diluted acetic acid (diluted with water to 4-30 % by volume) — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis.
  • 12.4 Mustard — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.5 Soups and broths — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.6 Sauces — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. excluding tomato-based sauces.
  • 12.7 Salads and savoury based sandwich spreads — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 12.9 Protein products, excluding products covered in category 1.8 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 13.2 Dietary foods for special medical purposes defined in Directive 1999/21/EC (excluding products from food category 13.1.5) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 13.3 Dietary foods for weight control diets intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal (the whole or part of the total daily diet) — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 13.4 Foods suitable for people intolerant to gluten as defined by Commission Regulation (EC) No 41/2009 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 14.1.4 Flavoured drinks — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. excluding chocolate milk and malt products Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (74): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 15 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 14.2.1 Beer and malt beverages — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a,b,d, Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.3 Cider and perry — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. excluding cidre bouché.
  • 14.2.3 Cider and perry — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only cidre bouché.
  • 14.2.4 Fruit wine and made wine — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Excluding wino owocowe markowe.
  • 14.2.5 Mead — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. except: spirit drinks as defined in Article 5(1) and sales denominations listed in Annex II, paragraphs 1-14 of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and spirits (preceded by the name of the fruit) obtained by maceration and distillation, Geist (with the name of the fruit or the raw material used), London Gin, Sambuca, Maraschino, Marrasquino or Maraskino and Mistrà.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. except: fruit spirits, spirits (preceded by the name of the fruit) obtained by maceration and distillation Geist (with the name of the fruit or the raw material used), London Gin, Sambuca, Maraschino, Marrasquino or Maraskino and Mistrà. Whisky, whiskey can only contain E 150a.
  • 14.2.7.1 Aromatised wines — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.7.2 Aromatised wine-based drinks — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. except sangria, clarea, zurra.
  • 14.2.7.3 Aromatised wine-product cocktails — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 14.2.8 Other alcoholic drinks including mixtures of alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks and spirits with less than 15 % of alcohol — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 15.1 Potato-, cereal-, flour- or starch-based snacks — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (71): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 30 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 15.2 Processed nuts — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 16 Desserts excluding products covered in categories 1, 3 and 4 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (74): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 15 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 17.1 Food supplements supplied in a solid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (69): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 17.2 Food supplements supplied in a liquid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children — several limitsPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. (1) quantum satis: no further restriction; (2) quantum satis: Period of application: from 1 August 2014 only food supplements in syrup form. Note (69): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 3 Edible ices — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (75): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 30 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 4.2.1 Dried fruit and vegetables — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only preserves of red fruit.
  • 4.2.2 Fruit and vegetables in vinegar, oil, or brine — several limitsAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. (1) quantum satis: only preserves of red fruit; (2) quantum satis: only vegetables (excluding olives).
  • 4.2.3 Canned or bottled fruit and vegetables — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only preserves of red fruit.
  • 4.2.4.1 Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only mostarda di frutta.
  • 4.2.4.1 Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — quantum satisquantum satis. Only seaweed based fish roe analogues.
  • 4.2.4.1 Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only preserves of red fruit.
  • 4.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. except chestnut purée.
  • 4.2.5.3 Other similar fruit or vegetable spreads — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. except crème de pruneaux.
  • 5.2 Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (72): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 70 mg/kg. As a derogation to this rule, the maximum limit only for microsweets shall be 40 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 5.3 Chewing gum — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (73): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 300 mg/kg For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (73): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 300 mg/kg. For the puroposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 6.3 Breakfast cereals — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only breakfast cereals other than extruded, puffed and/or fruit-flavoured breakfast cereals.
  • 6.5 Noodles — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 6.6 Batters — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 6.7 Pre-cooked or processed cereals — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 7.1 Bread and rolls — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only malt bread.
  • 7.2 Fine bakery wares — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis.
  • 8.2 Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only breakfast sausages with a minimum cereal content of 6 %, burger meat with a minimum vegetable and/or cereal content of 4 % mixed within the meat (in these products, the meat is minced in such a way so that the muscle and fat tissue are completely dispersed, so that fibre makes an emulsion with the fat, giving those products their typical appearance), merguez type products, salsicha fresca, mici, butifarra fresca, longaniza fresca and chorizo fresco.
  • 8.3.1 Non-heat-treated meat products — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only sausages.
  • 8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products — quantum satisAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. quantum satis. only sausages, pâtés and terrines.
  • 8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. except edible external coating of pasturmas.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. only surimi and similar products and salmon substitutes based on Theragra chalcogramma , Pollachius virens and Clupea harengus.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans — several limitsAuthorised under E 150a-d, Caramels. (1) quantum satis: only fish paste and crustacean paste; (2) quantum satis: only precooked crustacean.
  • 9.3 Fish roe — quantum satisPermitted as a member of Group II: Food colours authorised at quantum satis. quantum satis. except Sturgeons’ eggs (Caviar).
Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 60 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18
JapanConsumer Affairs AgencyNo listing matchedThis site imports only Japan’s list of designated additives (Appended Table 1 to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act), matched by English name. Existing additives, natural flavouring agents and ordinary foods used as additives are permitted outside that list and are not imported, so an empty row does not show that Japan does not permit the substance.
South KoreaMinistry of Food and Drug SafetyPermitted, with conditions
Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. …

Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. 일반식품첨가물 (general food additives), 카라멜색소I (“Caramel I”, the English the Code prints beside it). Main use (주용도) of 카라멜색소I: 착색료. Standard for use (사용기준) of 카라멜색소I: (1) [must not be used in the foods listed] “카라멜색소I은 아래의 식품에 사용하여서는 아니 된다. 1. 천연식품〔식육류, 어패류, 과일류, 채소류, 해조류, 콩류 등 및 그 단순가공품(탈피, 절단 등)〕 2. 다류(고형차 및 희석하여 음용하는 액상차는 제외) 3. 인삼성분 및 홍삼성분이 함유된 다류 4. 커피 5. 고춧가루, 실고추 6. 김치류 7. 고추장, 조미고추장 8. 인삼 또는 홍삼을 원료로 사용한 건강기능식품” The Korean is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the current Code (the English version on MFDS’s website is the 2020 edition and has no legal effect); the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications (Part IV) are not imported, nor are the general standards in Part II, which apply to every additive.

Standards and Specifications for Food Additives (식품첨가물의 기준 및 규격), MFDS Notification, Part III (Standards for use, by item)retrieved 2026-10-18
United StatesFood and Drug AdministrationNot listedDoes not appear on this jurisdiction’s permitted list. That is not the same as being prohibited.
Codex AlimentariusCodex Alimentarius Commission / JECFAPermitted, with conditions

11 food categories

no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice)

Show every food category and its notes
  • 04.2.2.7 Fermented vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) and seaweed products, excluding fermented soybean products of food categories 06.8.6, 06.8.7, 12.9.1, — GMP
    • Note XS38 Excluding products conforming to the General Standard for Edible Fungi and Fungus Products (CODEX STAN 38-1981).
    • Note XS151 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Gari (CXS 151-1985).
    • Note XS223 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Kimchi (CXS 223-2001).
    • Note XS294 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Gochujang (CXS 294-2009).
  • 06.4.2 Dried pastas and noodles and like products — GMP
    • Note 676 Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with colour function in this food category while others limit these additives to certain products.
  • 08.1.1 Fresh meat, poultry and game, whole pieces or cuts — GMP
    • Note 4 For use in decoration, stamping, marking or branding the product only.
  • 08.1.2 Fresh meat, poultry and game, comminuted — GMP
    • Note 669 For use only in breakfast sausages, merguez type products, salsicha fresca, butifarra fresca, longaniza fresca and chorizo fresco and mici.
  • 09.2.2 Frozen battered fish, fish fillets and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — GMP
    • Note 41 For use in breading or batter coatings only.
  • 09.2.4.1 Cooked fish and fish products — GMP
    • Note 95 For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only.
  • 09.2.4.2 Cooked molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — GMP
  • 09.2.4.3 Fried fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — GMP
    • Note 16 For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only.
  • 09.2.5 Smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — GMP
    • Note XS167 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Salted Fish and Dried Salted Fish of the Gadidae Family of Fishes (CODEX STAN 167-1989).
    • Note XS189 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried Shark Fins (CODEX STAN 189-1993).
    • Note XS222 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Crackers from Marine and Freshwater Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscan Shellfish (CODEX STAN 222-2001).
    • Note XS236 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Boiled Dried Salted Anchovies (CODEX STAN 236-2003).
    • Note XS244 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Salted Atlantic Herring and Salted Sprat (CODEX STAN 244-2004).
    • Note XS311 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Smoked Fish, Smoked-flavoured Fish and Smoke-dried Fish (CODEX STAN 311-2013).
  • 14.1.5 Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea, herbal infusions, and other hot cereal and grain beverages, excluding cocoa — GMP
    • Note 160 For use in ready-to-drink products and pre-mixes for ready-to-drink products only.
    • Note 201 For use in flavoured products only.
  • 14.2.3.3 Fortified grape wine, grape liquor wine, and sweet grape wine — GMP
CXS 192-1995 Table Three, INS 150aand 11 further provisionsretrieved 2026-09-07

How much is permitted

A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.

Australia and New Zealand1,000 mg/kg1 numeric limit, 49 GMP
European Union—57 quantum satis
Great Britain—3 several limits, 58 quantum satis
South Korea—1 no quantity stated
Codex Alimentarius—12 GMP

What it is made from

Produced by controlled heating of food-grade carbohydrates — typically glucose syrup or sucrose from maize, wheat or cane — with no ammonium or sulfite reagents. That distinguishes it from the other caramel classes, which use them and carry different specifications.

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian

Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.

How the EU defines it

The legal specification an additive must meet to be sold as this E number in the EU — what it is, how it may be made, and the purity it must reach. From Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.

E 150a Plain caramel

Plain caramel is prepared by the controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates (commercially available food grade nutritive sweeteners which are the monomers glucose and fructose and/or polymers thereof, e.g. glucose syrups, sucrose, and/or invert syrups, and dextrose). To promote caramelisation, acids, alkalis and salts may be employed, with the exception of ammonium compounds and sulphites.

Synonyms: Caustic caramel

Assay, identification and purity criteria

Description and assay

Einecs
232-435-9
Description
Dark brown to black liquids or solids

Purity criteria

Colour bound by DEAE cellulose
Not more than 50 %
Colour bound by phosphoryl cellulose
Not more than 50 %
Colour intensity
0,01-0,12
Total nitrogen
Not more than 0,1 %
Total sulphur
Not more than 0,2 %
Arsenic
Not more than 1 mg/kg
Lead
Not more than 2 mg/kg
Mercury
Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium
Not more than 1 mg/kg Colour intensity is defined as the absorbance of a 0,1 % (w/v) solution of caramel colour solids in water in a 1 cm cell at 610 nm.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, Annex, E 150a

Every name it appears under

29 recorded names. A label may use any of them.

E number

  • E150a

INS number

  • 150a

As it appears in regulation

  • Plain caramel

Other names

  • CARAMEL I - PLAIN CARAMEL
  • Caustic caramel
  • Class I Plain Caramel
  • E 150a
  • Plain caramel

The EU re-evaluation programme

Every additive authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009 was put back through EFSA by Commission Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, and this one is named in it. What the Regulation required is below; whether the opinion has since been published is not something this site records.

  • To be evaluated by 31 December 2010. Named in Annex II, Part I, point 2 as “Plain caramel”, among the additives given priority within its class.

Hazard reference values

Values set by assessing bodies. A body that has not set a value is not listed here.
TypeValuePopulationAssessed byOpinion
ADI300 mg/kg bw/dayconsumersEFSA ANS2011

Evidence and how bodies read it

What assessing bodies concluded

Each conclusion is paraphrased in the body's own framing, from the published opinion linked beneath it. Where bodies differ, both stand; this site does not adjudicate between them or add a view of its own.

  1. EFSA 2012

    In a refined exposure assessment for caramel colours, EFSA found exposure considerably lower than in 2011 and that the group ADI of 300 mg/kg bw/day was not exceeded for any population group, but that toddlers and adults could still exceed the individual ADI of 100 mg/kg bw/day for Class III caramel (E 150c).

    Source document

  2. EFSA 2011

    The ANS Panel established a group ADI of 300 mg/kg bw/day for the caramel colours (E 150a–d), with an individual ADI of 100 mg/kg bw/day for Class III because of information on the immunotoxicity of the constituent THI. It concluded that exposure might exceed the ADIs for Classes I, III and IV, and recommended maximum limits in the specifications for constituents such as 5-HMF and furan.

    Source document

Common questions

Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.

What is E 150a?
E 150a is Caramel I – plain caramel. Plain caramel is the simplest of the four caramel colour classes, made by heating carbohydrates without ammonium or sulfite compounds. It gives the brown colour in spirits, vinegars, baked goods and some sauces.
What is Caramel I – plain caramel used for in food?
It is listed as a colour — the role Codex and the EU assign it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
Where is Caramel I – plain caramel permitted?
Of the seven regulators this site reads, Australia and New Zealand, the EU, Great Britain, South Korea and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
Is Caramel I – plain caramel vegan?
Yes. Caramel I – plain caramel is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.

Sources for this page

  • anz retrieved 2026-10-17
  • eu retrieved 2026-10-18
  • gb retrieved 2026-10-18
  • kr retrieved 2026-10-18
  • gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
  • euspecs retrieved 2026-10-18

Full licence terms and publisher details on Sources. How this page is built and updated: Method.

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