E150c Ammonia caramel (Caramel III)

E150cColorsOrigin: Plant

Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

Gluten-freeDepends

Ammonia caramel is sometimes cooked from wheat glucose syrup. A celiac can ask which sugar the maker starts with.

HalalYes

KosherYes

KetoYes

Low-FODMAPYes

The short answer

Ammonia caramel (E150c) is the caramel class made with ammonia and no sulfite, common in beer. It is approved, but like cola caramel it can contain 4-MEI, which California lists under Proposition 65.

63/100

Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE150c

Comes fromPlant

What it doesColors

Glycemic index—

Daily limit300 mg/kg

Also calledAmmonia caramel, Class III caramel

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved

CaliforniaRestrictedClass III caramel can contain 4-MEI, which California's Proposition 65 lists as a carcinogen. A warning is required only when exposure passes the state's daily threshold.

Ammonia caramel is allowed in the US, the EU and Canada. EFSA's 2011 review included it in the 300 mg per kg group limit for caramel colours and set a cap on 4-MEI in the ingredient. It is a different class from plain caramel and from the sulfite ammonia caramel used in cola.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

Body weight: 70 kg

21 gper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 300 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 6.0 g a day.

What is it?

Class III caramel is a dark color with a more bitter taste than plain browned sugar. Brewers use it to set the color of beer. Bakers use it in brown bread and confectionery.

Where it comes from: Ammonia caramel is made by heating sugars with ammonia compounds and no sulfite. Beer and some baked goods use this class because it carries a strong color and a bitter note.

Why it’s in food

Sets beer color
Browns bread
Colors confectionery
Darkens sauces

Often found in

BeerBrown breadConfectioneryGravyMalt drinksCookies

Also listed as: Ammonia caramel, Class III caramel, Caramel III, Beer caramel

Health & gut impact

4-MEIUnder study

The ammonia process that makes class III caramel also forms some 4-MEI. EFSA capped how much can be in the color, and California lists 4-MEI under Proposition 65.

EFSA re-evaluation of caramel colours (2011); California Proposition 65

Group limitConcern

EFSA's group limit for this caramel class is 300 mg per kg of body weight a day, which ordinary beer drinking does not approach.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2011)

What can I use instead?

Plain caramel

Ratio: To color

Best for: When you want no ammonia step

Roasted malt

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Beer and bread color

More colors:

Allura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoid Amaranth dye E123Amaranth dye (E123) is a synthetic red that the US banned in 1976. Europe still allows tiny uses. It is not the amaranth seed sold as a gluten-free grain.Best to avoid Annatto E160bAnnatto (E160b) is a natural orange color from achiote seeds. It's what makes cheddar orange. It's safe and vegan, though it's one of the few natural colors that can trigger allergies.Generally safe Anthocyanins E163Anthocyanins (E163) are the natural red, purple and blue pigments of grapes, berries and purple carrots. They're one of the safest food colors and fit every diet we check.Generally safe

Common questions

Which caramel is in beer?

Often ammonia caramel, E150c. Cola is usually the sulfite ammonia class, E150d. Plain browned sugar is E150a.

Is Ammonia caramel safe?

Use in moderation (63/100). Ammonia caramel is allowed in the US, the EU and Canada. EFSA's 2011 review included it in the 300 mg per kg group limit for caramel colours and set a cap on 4-MEI in the ingredient. It is a different class from plain caramel and from the sulfite ammonia caramel used in cola.

Is Ammonia caramel gluten-free?

Depends. Ammonia caramel is sometimes cooked from wheat glucose syrup. A celiac can ask which sugar the maker starts with.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 73.85 (US FDA)
EFSA OpenFoodTox: E150c
EFSA re-evaluation of caramel colours (2011); California Proposition 65
EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2011)

INS 150c · CAS 8028-89-5