Sulphite Ammonia Caramel E150d
Sulphite Ammonia Caramel, also known as Class IV caramel colour or E150d, is a food-grade brown colour used by industrial food and beverage manufacturers for visual identity, shade development, cola colour systems, colour standardisation and batch-to-batch appearance control. It is especially relevant where strong colour intensity, acid stability, process tolerance and reliable performance in beverage, sauce, seasoning and processed-food systems are required. This page is prepared for purchasing teams, R&D technologists, QA departments and import managers who need structured technical information before requesting a quotation.
Product identity
| Product name | Sulphite Ammonia Caramel |
|---|---|
| Alternative spelling | Sulfite Ammonia Caramel |
| Common names | Caramel Colour Class IV, Caramel Color Class IV, E150d caramel, beverage caramel colour |
| Caramel class | Class IV caramel colour |
| CAS number | 8028-89-5 |
| E / INS number | E150d / INS 150d |
| Category | Colours & Colouring Foods |
| Primary function | Brown food colour, shade standardisation, visual identity and colour correction ingredient |
| Typical appearance | Dark brown to black-brown viscous liquid, concentrated liquid, powder or spray-dried grade depending on supplier |
| Typical handling form | Liquid concentrate for direct dosing or dilution; powder grade for dry blends, premixes or specific logistics needs |
Application fit
Sulphite Ammonia Caramel is widely evaluated where a stable brown colour is required under acidic, heat-processed or high-volume industrial conditions. Potential use areas may include:
- Cola drinks, carbonated soft drinks, still beverages and beverage concentrates
- Beer, malt drinks, cider-type products and fermented beverage systems where permitted
- Soy sauce, savory sauces, gravies, marinades and seasoning liquids
- Vinegar systems, pickling liquids, brines and acidic condiments
- Bakery products, biscuits, fillings, glazes and dessert sauces
- Snack seasonings, dry mixes, confectionery and processed foods requiring brown shade consistency
Technical overview for industrial buyers
Sulphite Ammonia Caramel is produced by controlled heat treatment of carbohydrate raw materials in the presence of ammonium and sulphite compounds. The resulting colour system is a complex mixture of caramel colour bodies rather than a single pure chemical compound. In industrial use, buyers normally evaluate E150d by colour intensity, hue index, absorbance, charge compatibility, pH, solids content, viscosity, specific gravity, sulphite-related information, 4-methylimidazole control, heavy metals, microbiological status where required and batch-to-batch shade consistency.
Class IV caramel colour is often selected for acidic beverage systems because it can provide strong brown shade, good colour value and practical processing stability. However, not every caramel colour performs the same way. Caramel Class I, II, III and IV materials can differ in charge, stability, application suitability, regulatory status and declaration requirements. For high-volume beverage and sauce manufacturers, the correct grade should be confirmed through plant trials, laboratory shade matching and shelf-life testing in the actual product matrix.
Functional role in formulation
- Brown shade development: provides brown to dark-brown colour in beverages, sauces, seasonings and processed foods.
- Colour standardisation: corrects natural variation in raw materials, process colour and finished product appearance.
- Cola colour systems: supports visual identity in cola, dark soft drinks and beverage concentrates.
- Acid system compatibility: selected grades are suitable for acidic beverages, vinegar systems and sauce applications.
- Process tolerance: can withstand many industrial heat, mixing, filling and storage conditions when correctly selected.
- Cost-in-use efficiency: high tinting power may allow low dosage compared with weaker brown colour systems.
Key buying parameters
| Grade | Food grade; confirm Class IV / E150d identity and destination-market compliance |
|---|---|
| Colour intensity | Request absorbance, colour strength or tinctorial power with test method on specification and COA |
| Hue index | Important for matching reddish-brown, dark brown or cola-brown shade targets |
| pH | Relevant for compatibility with acidic beverages, sauces and concentrates |
| Solids / Brix | Important for liquid concentration, dosing calculation, viscosity and shipping economics |
| Viscosity | Critical for pumping, metering, dilution, heated handling and automated dosing systems |
| Charge compatibility | Important for avoiding haze, flocculation or instability in beverage and protein-containing systems |
| Purity controls | Review sulphite information, 4-MEI statement, heavy metals and market-specific impurity limits where required |
| Packaging | Commonly supplied in drums, IBCs, pails, bulk tanks, cartons, bags or export pallet packaging depending on form |
Industrial application notes
In cola and carbonated beverage systems, Sulphite Ammonia Caramel is commonly used to create the expected dark brown visual identity. Manufacturers should evaluate colour strength, acid stability, clarity, haze formation, pH compatibility, carbonation conditions, preservative system, heat treatment, light exposure and packaging type. Beverage concentrates require particular attention because high solids, low pH and high colour concentration can affect viscosity, dosing accuracy and dilution performance.
In sauces, condiments and seasoning liquids, E150d can support dark brown shade, roasted appearance and batch-to-batch colour consistency. Soy sauce-type systems, gravies, barbecue sauces, marinades, vinegar sauces and savory seasonings may require different caramel profiles depending on salt level, acid type, viscosity, heat treatment and final label requirements. For viscous sauces, mixing order and dilution method are important to prevent streaking or uneven colour distribution.
In bakery, confectionery and dry mix applications, powder or spray-dried caramel colour may be preferred when a liquid colour is difficult to dose or when a dry blend must remain free-flowing. The buyer should evaluate particle size, carrier system, moisture, caking, dusting, colour release, dry-blend uniformity and storage stability. In heat-processed bakery systems, colour development from the process itself should be separated from the added caramel colour contribution during formulation trials.
In alcoholic and fermented beverage applications, caramel colour selection should consider pH, alcohol level, filtration, foam behavior, clarity, ageing conditions and local beverage regulations. The selected colour must remain stable during processing, filling and distribution while meeting the buyer’s final appearance standard.
Colour system design
- Define the target shade using an approved finished-product sample, colour standard or instrumental colour value.
- Confirm whether the product needs liquid caramel, powder caramel, high-strength concentrate or custom blend.
- Test the colour in the real product matrix, not only in water or a simple laboratory dilution.
- Evaluate pH, acidity, salt, alcohol, protein, preservatives, heat treatment, filtration and packaging impact.
- Check for haze, precipitation, ring formation, flocculation, sediment or shade drift during shelf-life testing.
- Validate dosage against legal limits, label requirements, sulphite declaration rules and customer specifications.
Process and handling considerations
- Liquid caramel colour may require controlled temperature to improve flow, pumping and dosing accuracy.
- Dilute under agitation when preparing dosing solutions or beverage concentrates.
- Use food-grade pumps, hoses and tanks compatible with viscous colour concentrates.
- Protect from contamination, excessive heat, freezing, moisture ingress and prolonged air exposure.
- For powder grades, manage dusting, caking, carrier compatibility and dry-blend segregation risk.
- Maintain lot traceability from raw material receipt through finished product batch records.
Quality control checkpoints
Food manufacturers normally evaluate Sulphite Ammonia Caramel through both analytical specification and finished-product colour performance. A material may meet basic identity requirements but still be unsuitable if its shade, strength, viscosity or compatibility does not match the buyer’s process. High-volume users should approve a supplier standard and compare incoming lots against that standard before production release.
Typical laboratory checks
- Appearance, colour tone and foreign matter inspection
- Colour intensity, absorbance or tinctorial power
- Hue index or shade ratio against approved standard
- pH, specific gravity, solids, Brix and viscosity for liquid grades
- Moisture, particle size and flowability for powder grades
- Sulphite information, nitrogen-related parameters or purity markers where specified
- 4-methylimidazole statement or test result where required by buyer or destination market
- Lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium or other heavy metals according to destination rules
- Microbiological status where required by application and specification
- Lot number, manufacturing date and shelf-life verification
Functional performance checks
- Shade match in the buyer’s finished product matrix
- Colour strength comparison at controlled dosage
- Acid stability in beverage, vinegar, sauce or concentrate conditions
- Heat, light and storage stability over intended shelf life
- Clarity, haze, flocculation and sediment review in liquid products
- Compatibility with preservatives, acids, proteins, minerals and flavour systems
- Dosing accuracy, pumpability and cleanability in plant equipment
- Packaging seal integrity and pallet condition on receipt
Regulatory and compliance notes
Sulphite Ammonia Caramel is commonly identified as E150d or INS 150d. It belongs to the caramel colour family, but each caramel class may have different manufacturing chemistry, purity criteria and application suitability. Permitted food categories, maximum levels, additive naming, label declarations, sulphite statements, impurity limits and 4-MEI requirements may vary by destination country and final product type.
Because E150d is associated with sulphite and ammonia processing chemistry, buyers should request documentation that supports the intended label declaration and regulatory position. Some markets may require sulphite declaration when residual sulphites exceed defined thresholds. Some buyers may also require 4-MEI limits, beverage-specific declarations, allergen statements, non-GMO declarations, halal or kosher certification and confirmation that the grade is suitable for the final application.
Recommended documents to request
- Product specification or technical data sheet with colour intensity, hue, pH, solids and viscosity parameters
- Certificate of analysis for available batch or lot
- Safety data sheet where applicable
- Food-grade declaration and statement of intended food use
- Caramel class confirmation: E150d / Class IV / Sulphite Ammonia Caramel
- Colour strength, absorbance, hue index or approved standard sample information
- Sulphite statement, allergen declaration and label-support documentation where required
- 4-MEI statement or test result where required by buyer or destination market
- Origin statement and manufacturer information where available
- GMO, vegan, halal, kosher or animal-origin declarations when required
- Heavy metals and market-specific purity statements where applicable
- Shelf-life, storage condition and temperature-handling recommendation
- Label draft, net weight, drum, IBC, pail, carton or bag dimensions, pallet configuration and loading estimate
- Traceability information, batch coding format and recall-support documentation
Specification information useful for quotation
For a faster and more accurate quotation, provide the target specification, required caramel class, colour strength, target shade, application, physical form, annual and first-order quantity, destination country, delivery term, packaging preference, required certifications, inspection requirements and expected shipment date. If you already purchase Sulphite Ammonia Caramel, share the existing COA, technical data sheet, product label, approved shade standard, sample dilution ratio or benchmark supplier specification so equivalent options can be compared by colour intensity, hue, solids, viscosity, sulphite information, 4-MEI status, origin, documentation and logistics cost.
Packaging and logistics
Industrial Sulphite Ammonia Caramel is usually quoted according to product form, net weight, packaging type, palletization, container loading, port of loading, Incoterms and destination. Liquid grades may be supplied in drums, pails, IBCs or bulk formats, while powder grades may be supplied in lined bags, cartons or fiber drums. Export shipments should be reviewed for temperature exposure, leakage protection, drum or IBC integrity, pallet wrapping, documentation deadlines and destination customs requirements.
Commercial evaluation criteria
- Food-grade status and documentation completeness
- Correct caramel class, E number and declaration support
- Consistency of colour intensity, hue, pH, solids and viscosity
- Suitability for cola, beverage, sauce, seasoning, bakery or dry mix applications
- Availability of sulphite, 4-MEI, allergen, halal, kosher or non-GMO documents when required
- Lead time, stock position and minimum order quantity
- Packaging suitability for manual, semi-automatic or automated dosing systems
- Regulatory fit for the destination market
- Total landed cost and cost-in-use, not only unit price
How to request this product
Send the product name, caramel class, E number, target shade, colour strength, physical form, application, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, expected shipment date and required documents. If the ingredient will be used in cola drinks, beverages, sauces, seasonings, vinegar systems, bakery, confectionery, dry mixes or alcoholic beverages, include the application category, pH, heat process, packaging format and approved shade target so the supplier review can focus on the most relevant technical parameters.
Useful answers
What is Sulphite Ammonia Caramel used for in food manufacturing?
Sulphite Ammonia Caramel is used as a brown food colour for shade development, visual identity, colour correction and batch-to-batch standardisation in approved food and beverage applications such as cola drinks, sauces, seasonings, bakery products, confectionery and processed foods.
Is Sulphite Ammonia Caramel the same as ordinary caramelized sugar?
No. Sulphite Ammonia Caramel is a regulated Class IV caramel colour produced for controlled colour performance. It is not the same as household caramel, burnt sugar syrup or a flavour caramel.
Why does caramel class matter?
Different caramel colour classes can have different charge, stability, manufacturing chemistry and application suitability. E150d is Class IV caramel colour and is often selected for acidic beverage and high-colour-strength applications, but suitability must be confirmed in the buyer’s product.
Why do colour intensity and hue matter?
Colour intensity affects dosage and cost-in-use, while hue determines whether the finished product appears reddish-brown, dark brown, cola-brown or another target shade. Buyers should compare samples in the final product matrix before changing supplier or grade.
Does E150d require sulphite or 4-MEI documentation?
Many buyers request sulphite information, label-support documents and 4-MEI statements or test results for Sulphite Ammonia Caramel. The exact requirement depends on customer specification, destination-market rules and final product category.
Which grade should food manufacturers request?
Food manufacturers should request food-grade Sulphite Ammonia Caramel E150d with a clear specification, certificate of analysis, food-use declaration, colour intensity, hue index, pH, solids, viscosity, sulphite statement, impurity limits, shelf-life information, packaging details and destination-market compliance documents.
Can Global Food Additives source Sulphite Ammonia Caramel?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options for Sulphite Ammonia Caramel according to target specification, shade, colour strength, application, quantity, destination, packaging, certification needs and required documentation.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a technical data sheet, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, food-grade declaration, caramel class confirmation, origin statement, sulphite information, 4-MEI statement where required, allergen statement, GMO status, heavy metal limits, shelf-life and storage information, label details and packing configuration.
Is this product permitted in every country?
No. Food colour use depends on destination-market rules, food category, use level, label requirements and buyer responsibility. Always verify local regulations before commercial use.
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