E150c – Ammonia Caramel (Class III) - Food additives database

Safety grading ORANGE – SOME CONCERNS

E150c, known as Ammonia Caramel (Class III), carries an ORANGE – SOME CONCERNS grading. It is manufactured by heating sugars in the presence of ammonium compounds. This pathway can generate trace levels of 4‑methylimidazole and other imidazoles formed during Maillard‑type reactions. Toxicology findings at very high doses in animals prompted regulators to apply a more conservative acceptable daily intake for this class compared with others in the group. Typical human exposures from foods are well below regulatory limits, but the by‑product issue justifies a modest caution flag.

From a technology point of view, E150c is cationic and binds well in systems where a positive charge gives better performance, for example in bakery coatings and certain confectionery matrices. Manufacturers manage processing time, temperature, and ammonia level to achieve colour while minimizing by‑product formation. Continuous monitoring and specification limits are used to keep impurities within targets, and many producers have optimized their processes to achieve very low 4‑methylimidazole levels in finished ingredients.

Should You Avoid E150c?

Most consumers do not need to avoid E150c if they maintain a balanced diet. People who wish to minimize exposure to Maillard‑derived by‑products may choose E150a‑coloured or uncoloured products instead. Reducing intake of heavily coloured sauces and confectionery is a straightforward practical measure.

Common Uses

Confectionery coatings and fillings that benefit from a cationic caramel.
Bakery glazes and toppings requiring moderate to dark brown hues.
Savory sauces and seasonings.

Common names / Synonyms

Ammonia caramel
Class III caramel
Caramel colour E150c
INS 150c

What is it?

E150c is a water‑soluble brown polymer mixture obtained by heating sugars with ammonium compounds. The presence of nitrogen drives formation of positively charged caramel species and can create small amounts of heterocyclics such as 4‑methylimidazole. Although these compounds are present at trace levels in finished foods, their toxicology has been studied extensively, which is why E150c receives more attention than E150a or E150b. The industry continues to refine processing conditions to keep these levels as low as reasonably achievable while delivering the desired colour.

Where it’s allowed (EU vs US)

In the EU, E150c is a permitted colour with a lower acceptable daily intake than the other classes, reflecting data uncertainty. In the US, caramel colour including ammonia class is considered GRAS when specification limits are met, and 4‑methylimidazole is monitored as part of good manufacturing practices.

Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, there
was no evidence of carcinogenic activity* of 4-methylimidazole in male F344/N rats exposed to 625,
1,250, or 2,500 ppm. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of 4-methylimidazole in female
F344/N rats based on increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia.

There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of 4-methylimidazole in male and female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms.

Exposure to 4-methylimidazole resulted in nonneoplastic lesions in the liver of male and female rats and the
lung of female mice and in clinical findings of neurotoxicity in female rats.

2007-caramel-coloring-NTP-TECHNICAL-REPORT-TOXICOLOGY-AND-CARCINOGENESIS-STUDIES-OF-4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE Download

E150c – Ammonia Caramel (Class III)