Color Additive · CAS 8028-89-5 · EU E150a-d
Caramel Color
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Caramel Color is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #4 of 417.
- #4 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Caramel Color is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #4 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (99th percentile).
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- Approved
- FDA status
- #4 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Caramel Color: 5,217 tracked U.S. products (common band, #4 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 5,217 · #4 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E150a-d | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 8028-89-5 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Color Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Caramel Color?
Made by heating sugars. Four classes (I-IV). Class IV (ammonia caramel) is most controversial.
Health Concerns
- Class IV contains 4-MEI, a possible carcinogen. California requires Prop 65 warning.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (5,217 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 5,217
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caramel Color safe to consume?
Caramel Color scores 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (5,217 tracked products, #4 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Caramel Color used for in food?
Caramel Color shows up as Cola, soy sauce, beer, bread, pet food in the Color Additive class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (5,217 products).
Where does Caramel Color sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #4 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Caramel Color?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Caramel Color: Class IV contains 4-MEI, a possible carcinogen. California requires Prop 65 warning.. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.