Caramel Color
Flavors + Colors
Potentially Harmful
Details
Definition
Caramel colors are a complex mixture of compounds produced by heating carbohydrates under controlled heat and chemical processing conditions. They are divided into four classes according to the manufacturing reactants used. Labels listing caramel color may include any of the 4 classes (10 types) of caramel color.
AKAs
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Health Impact
Some types of caramel artificial coloring contain a potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemical called 4-methylimidazole (4-MeI).
Sources
Food caramels: a review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152495/Caramel Color in Soft Drinks and Exposure to 4-Methylimidazole: A Quantitative Risk Assessment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4333292/Reading ingredients made easy. For quicker, healthier decisions.
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