Caramel II - sulfite caramel

E number E150bINS 150b

Listed as a colour by Codex and the EU.

Listed as colours (EU, Codex)

Caramel II is one of the four caramel colour classes, made with sulfite compounds but without ammonium. It is used chiefly in spirits and some flavourings.

Where it is and isn’t permitted

Status of Caramel II - sulfite 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

55 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 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 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 1333/2008, Annex IIand 54 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18
Great BritainFood Standards Agency / Food Standards ScotlandPermitted, with conditions

60 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 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 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024)and 59 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), 카라멜색소II (“Caramel II”, the English the Code prints beside it). Main use (주용도) of 카라멜색소II: 착색료. Standard for use (사용기준) of 카라멜색소II: (1) [must not be used in the foods listed] “카라멜색소II은 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

60 food categories

highest permitted level 50,000 mg/kg

Show every food category and its notes
  • 01.1.4 Flavoured Fluid Milk Drinks — 2,000 mg/kg
    • Note 52 Excluding chocolate milk.
    • Note 400 Except for use in products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003) at 150 mg/kg.
  • 01.6.1 Unripened cheese — 15,000 mg/kg
    • Note 201 For use in flavoured products only.
    • Note XS221 Excluding products conforming to the Group Standard for Unripened Cheese including Fresh Cheese (CXS 221-2001).
    • Note XS262 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mozzarella (CODEX STAN 262-2006).
    • Note XS273 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cottage Cheese (CXS 273-1968).
    • Note XS275 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cream Cheese (CXS 275-1973).
  • 01.6.2.2 Rind of ripened cheese — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 01.6.2.3 Cheese powder (for reconstitution; e.g. for cheese sauces) — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 01.6.4.2 Flavoured processed cheese, including containing fruit, vegetables, meat, etc. — 50,000 mg/kg
    • Note 72 On the ready-to-eat basis.
  • 01.6.5 Cheese analogues — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt) — 2,000 mg/kg
    • Note 400 Except for use in products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003) at 150 mg/kg.
    • Note 209 Except for use in ice cream products with light brown colour at 3600 mg/kg.
  • 02.2.2 Fat spreads, dairy fat spreads and blended spreads — 500 mg/kg
    • Note XS253 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dairy Fat Spreads (CXS 253-2006).
  • 02.3 Fat emulsions mainly of type oil-in-water, including mixed and/or flavoured products based on fat emulsions — 20,000 mg/kg
  • 02.4 Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 01.7 — 20,000 mg/kg
  • 03.0 Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet — 8,000 mg/kg
  • 04.1.2.11 Fruit fillings for pastries — 7,500 mg/kg
  • 04.1.2.3 Fruit in vinegar, oil, or brine — 7,500 mg/kg
    • Note 653 For use with red fruits only.
  • 04.1.2.4 Canned or bottled (pasteurized) fruit — 7,500 mg/kg
    • Note 267 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CODEX STAN 319-2015) except for use in special holiday packs for canned pears conforming to the standard.
    • Note XS361 Excluding products conforming to the General standard for canned mixed fruits (CXS 361-2020).
    • Note 653 For use with red fruits only.
  • 04.1.2.5 — 1,500 mg/kg
  • 04.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category — 500 mg/kg
    • Note XS160 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mango Chutney (CODEX STAN 160-1987).
  • 04.1.2.7 Candied fruit — 7,500 mg/kg
  • 04.1.2.8 Fruit preparations, including pulp, purees, fruit toppings and coconut milk — 7,500 mg/kg
    • Note XS240 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Aqueous Coconut Products (CODEX STAN 240-2003).
    • Note XS314R Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Date Paste (CODEX STAN 314R-2013).
  • 04.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, incl. fruit-flavoured water-based desserts — 7,500 mg/kg
  • 04.2.2.3 Vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), and seaweeds in vinegar, oil, brine, or soybean sauce — 500 mg/kg
    • Note XS38 Excluding products conforming to the General Standard for Edible Fungi and Fungus Products (CODEX STAN 38-1981).
    • Note XS66 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Table Olives (CODEX STAN 66-1981).
    • Note XS115 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Pickled Cucumbers (Cucumber Pickles) (CODEX STAN 115-1981).
    • Note XS260 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Pickled Fruits and Vegetables (CODEX STAN 260-2007).
  • 05.1.3 Cocoa-based spreads, incl. fillings — 50,000 mg/kg
    • Note XS86 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cocoa Butter (CODEX STAN 86-1981).
  • 05.1.4 Cocoa and chocolate products — 50,000 mg/kg
    • Note 183 For use in surface decoration only.
  • 05.1.5 Imitation chocolate, chocolate substitute products — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 05.2 Confectionery including hard and soft candy, nougats, etc. other than food categories 05.1, 05.3, and 05.4 — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 05.3 Chewing gum — 20,000 mg/kg
  • 05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit), and sweet sauces — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 06.3 Breakfast cereals, including rolled oats — 2,500 mg/kg
  • 06.4.3 Pre-cooked pastas and noodles and like products — 50,000 mg/kg
    • Note 194 For use in instant noodles conforming to the Standard for Instant Noodles (CODEX STAN 249-2006) only.
    • Note XS364R Excluding use in products conforming to the Regional standard for quick-frozen dumplings (CXS 364R-2026).
  • 06.5 Cereal and starch based desserts (e.g. rice pudding, tapioca pudding) — 1,000 mg/kg
  • 06.6 Batters (e.g. for breading or batters for fish or poultry) — 2,500 mg/kg
  • 07.1.1.1 Yeast-leavened breads and specialty breads — 15,000 mg/kg
    • Note 398 Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with sweetener and colour functions in this food category while others limit this food category to products without these additives.
    • Note 403 For use in pumpernickel bread at 15,000 mg/kg and for use in malt bread at 3,000 mg/kg only.
  • 07.1.1.2 Soda breads — 15,000 mg/kg
    • Note 398 Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with sweetener and colour functions in this food category while others limit this food category to products without these additives.
  • 07.1.2 Crackers, excluding sweet crackers — 15,000 mg/kg
  • 07.1.3 Other ordinary bakery products (e.g. bagels, pita, English muffins) — 15,000 mg/kg
    • Note 398 Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with sweetener and colour functions in this food category while others limit this food category to products without these additives.
  • 07.1.4 Bread-type products, including bread stuffing and bread crumbs — 15,000 mg/kg
    • Note 398 Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with sweetener and colour functions in this food category while others limit this food category to products without these additives.
  • 07.1.5 Steamed breads and buns — 15,000 mg/kg
    • Note 201 For use in flavoured products only.
    • Note 398 Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with sweetener and colour functions in this food category while others limit this food category to products without these additives.
  • 07.1.6 Mixes for bread and ordinary bakery wares — 15,000 mg/kg
    • Note 398 Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with sweetener and colour functions in this food category while others limit this food category to products without these additives.
  • 07.2 Fine bakery wares (sweet, salty, savoury) and mixes — 3,000 mg/kg
  • 08.1.2 Fresh meat, poultry and game, comminuted — 2,000 mg/kg
    • Note 669 For use only in breakfast sausages, merguez type products, salsicha fresca, butifarra fresca, longaniza fresca and chorizo fresco and mici.
  • 08.3 Processed comminuted meat, poultry, and game products — 2,000 mg/kg
    • Note 335 For use in products containing vegetable protein only.
    • Note 681 For use in sausages, patties, terrines and in products containing vegetable protein only.
  • 09.2.4.1 Cooked fish and fish products — 1,250 mg/kg
    • Note 692 For use in teriyaki-based products only.
  • 09.4 Fully preserved, including canned or fermented fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 25,600 mg/kg
    • Note 95 For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only.
    • Note XS3 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Salmon (CODEX STAN 3-1981).
    • Note XS37 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Shrimps or Prawns (CODEX STAN 37-1991).
    • Note XS70 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Tuna and Bonito (70-1981).
    • Note XS90 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Crab Meat (CODEX STAN 90-1981).
    • Note XS94 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type Products (CODEX STAN 94-1981).
    • Note XS119 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Finfish (CODEX STAN 119-1981).
  • 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 12.3 Vinegars — 5,000 mg/kg
  • 12.4 Mustards — 300 mg/kg
  • 12.5 Soups and broths — 25,000 mg/kg
  • 12.6 Sauces and like products — 6,000 mg/kg
    • Note XS302 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fish Sauce (CODEX STAN 302-2011).
    • Note XS306 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Chilli Sauce (CXS 306-2011).
  • 12.7 Salads (e.g. macaroni salad, potato salad) and sandwich spreads excluding cocoa-and nut-based spreads of food categories 04.2.2.5 and 05.1.3 — 200 mg/kg
  • 13.3 Dietetic foods intended for special medical purposes (excluding products of food category 13.1) — 4,000 mg/kg
    • Note 566 Excluding products conforming to the Guidelines for Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (CXG 95-2022).
  • 13.4 Dietetic formulae for slimming purposes and weight reduction — 5,000 mg/kg
  • 13.5 Dietetic foods (e.g. supplementary foods for dietary use) excluding products of food categories — 20,000 mg/kg
  • 13.6 Food supplements — 7,500 mg/kg
  • 14.2.1 Beer and malt beverages — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 14.2.2 Cider and perry — 1,000 mg/kg
  • 14.2.3.3 Fortified grape wine, grape liquor wine, and sweet grape wine — 50,000 mg/kg
  • 14.2.4 Wines (other than grape) — 1,000 mg/kg
  • 14.2.5 Mead — 5,000 mg/kg
  • 14.2.6 Distilled spirituous beverages containing more than 15% alcohol — 5,000 mg/kg
  • 14.2.7 Aromatized alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer, wine and spirituous cooler-type beverages, low-alcoholic refreshers) — 4,000 mg/kg
  • 15.0 Ready-to-eat savouries — 1,000 mg/kg
CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 150band 59 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—55 quantum satis
Great Britain—3 several limits, 57 quantum satis
South Korea—1 no quantity stated
Codex Alimentarius200 mg/kg – 50,000 mg/kg60 numeric limit

What it is made from

Produced by heating food-grade carbohydrates in the presence of sulfite compounds but no ammonium compounds. The four caramel classes differ by which reagents are used, which changes both the colour's behaviour and the specification it must meet.

  • 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 150b Caustic sulphite caramel

Caustic sulphite 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) with or without acids or alkalis, in the presence of sulphite compounds (sulphurous acid, potassium sulphite, potassium bisulphite, sodium sulphite and sodium bisulphite); no ammonium compounds are used.

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
More than 50 %
Colour intensity
0,05-0,13
Total nitrogen
Not more than 0,3 %
Sulphur dioxide
Not more than 0,2 %
Total sulphur
0,3-3,5 %
Sulphur bound by DEAE cellulose
More than 40 %
Absorbance ratio of colour bound by DEAE cellulose
19-34
Absorbance ratio (A 280/560)
Greater than 50
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. Expressed on equivalent colour basis i.e. is expressed in terms of a product having a colour intensity of 0,1 absorbance units.

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

Every name it appears under

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

E number

  • E150b

INS number

  • 150b

As it appears in regulation

  • Caustic sulphite caramel

Other names

  • CARAMEL II - SULFITE CARAMEL
  • Caustic sulphite caramel
  • Class II Caustic Sulphite Caramel
  • E 150b

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 “Caustic sulphite 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 150b?
E 150b is Caramel II - sulfite caramel. Caramel II is one of the four caramel colour classes, made with sulfite compounds but without ammonium. It is used chiefly in spirits and some flavourings.
What is Caramel II - sulfite 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 II - sulfite 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 II - sulfite caramel vegan?
Yes. Caramel II - sulfite 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.

Machine-readable: a JSON record of this additive is given on request —how to ask for access.

Follow changes to Caramel II - sulfite caramel:Atom feed — regulatory events, and any change the weekly refresh detects in its provisions.