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E155 Brown HT

E155ColorsOrigin: Lab-made
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The short answer
Brown HT (E155) is a synthetic chocolate-brown dye used in some European baked goods and fish products. It is not approved in US or Canadian food, and its daily limit is relatively low.
Use in moderation

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

E-numberE155
Comes fromLab-made
What it doesColors
Glycemic index—
Daily limit1.5 mg/kg
Also calledBrown HT, Chocolate brown HT

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved
🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Brown HT is allowed in the EU with a daily limit of 1.5 mg per kg of body weight, which EFSA confirmed in 2010. It is not permitted as a food color in the US or Canada.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

105 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 1.5 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 30 mg a day.

What is it?

Makers use Brown HT when cocoa or caramel would change the flavor and they only want the color. It shows up in chocolate cakes, fish cakes and some gravy mixes in countries that allow it.

Where it comes from: Brown HT is a synthetic azo dye. The brown is manufactured. It is not cocoa or caramel.

Why it’s in food

  • Browns chocolate cakes
  • Colors fish cakes
  • Tints gravy mixes
  • Shades cookies

Often found in

Chocolate cakeFish cakesGravy granulesCookiesImported dessertsSauce mixes

Also listed as: Brown HT, Chocolate brown HT, Food Brown 3, CI 20285

Health & gut impact

Low daily limitUnder study

The EFSA limit for Brown HT is 1.5 mg per kg of body weight, tighter than for many other dyes.

EFSA re-evaluation of Brown HT (2010)

Azo reactionsUnder study

Like other azo dyes, Brown HT may bother a small group of sensitive people.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2010)

Chocolate color from cocoa

For your pantry
Pantry staple

Natural cocoa powder

Browns cakes and keeps a real cocoa taste.

Shop cocoa powder Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Black cocoa

A darker, Oreo-like brown.

Shop black cocoa powder Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Carob powder

A milder brown for people skipping cocoa.

Shop carob powder Opens your country’s Amazon store

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What can I use instead?

Cocoa powder

Ratio: To color

Best for: Cakes and cookies

Plain caramel

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Gravies

Related

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 avoidAmaranth 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 avoidAmmonia caramel (Caramel III) E150cAmmonia 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.Use in moderationAnnatto 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

Common questions

Is Brown HT a type of caramel color?

No. Brown HT is manufactured as an azo color. Caramel colors are cooked sugars and use the E150 numbers.

Is Brown HT safe?

Use in moderation (52/100). Brown HT is allowed in the EU with a daily limit of 1.5 mg per kg of body weight, which EFSA confirmed in 2010. It is not permitted as a food color in the US or Canada.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E155
  • EFSA re-evaluation of Brown HT (2010)
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2010)

INS 155 · CAS 4553-89-3