Caramel Colour (Class IV)
Sulphite ammonia caramel, the brown colour in colas and sauces. It can contain 4-MEI, a by-product IARC lists as possibly carcinogenic.
Class IV caramel colour is made by heating sugars with ammonium and sulphite compounds. It gives colas, sauces and gravies their dark brown colour.
What the research says
The process can create 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Regulators set limits on how much 4-MEI caramel colour may contain.
CleanPlate verdict
Cosmetic, and worth watching in products you consume often, like colas.
Worth watching
CleanPlate rating
Also listed asINS 150d
TypeColour
RatingWorth watching
Rated products with it34
Look for any of these names or codes in the ingredient list.
Found in
Products we've rated that list Caramel Colour (Class IV), best first.
- [F]BB3Kellogg's Millet MuesliFortified
- −Red flag: High added sugar (14.2g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Caramel Colour (Class IV)
Good - [F]BB3Kellogg's Muesli Nuts & Seeds CrunchFortified
- −Red flag: High added sugar (10.5g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Caramel Colour (Class IV)
Good - [F]BB3Kellogg's Multigrain Plus Corn FlakesFortified
- −Red flag: High added sugar (13.4g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Caramel Colour (Class IV)
Good - BB3Kwality Multigrain Choco Flakes
- −Red flag: Contains BHA
- −Red flag: High added sugar (36.6g per 100g)
Good - [F]CB3Kellogg's Almonds & Honey Corn FlakesFortified
- −Red flag: High added sugar (28.5g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Caramel Colour (Class IV)
Good - [F]BB4Kellogg's Multigrain Chocos Moons & StarsFortified
- −Red flag: High added sugar (27g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Caramel Colour (Class IV)
Fair - [F]BB4Kellogg's Multigrain Chocos More ChocolateyFortified
- −Red flag: High added sugar (27g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Caramel Colour (Class IV)
Fair - [F]BB4Maggi Nutrilicious Veg Atta Noodles Made with Only Atta FlourFortified
- −Red flag: High sodium (1141.8mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (8.5g)
Fair - [F]BC4Gimi Gimi Fiery Hot Veg Korean Ramen NoodlesFortified
- −Red flag: High sodium (1160mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (10g)
Fair - [F]BC4Gimi Gimi Soulful Umami Veg Korean Ramen NoodlesFortified
- −Red flag: High sodium (1680mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (10g)
Fair - BC4Tata Soulfull Ragi Bites Choco Fills
- −Red flag: Contains BHA
- −Red flag: High added sugar (29g per 100g)
Fair - BC4Tata Soulfull Ragi Bites Vanilla Fills
- −Red flag: Contains BHA
- −Red flag: High added sugar (28.3g per 100g)
Fair - CB4Wai Wai 5 in 1 Atta Chicken Flavour Healthy Instant Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1473.2mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (9.1g)
Fair - CB4Wai Wai Atta Healthy Instant Noodles (Masala)
- −Red flag: High sodium (1831.6mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (8.9g)
Fair - CB4WickedGud Desi Manchow Cup Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1918mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (7.2g)
Fair - CC4Ching's Secret Hot & Spicy Korean Ramen Soupy Noodles
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: High sodium (1464.3mg per 100g)
Fair - CC4Ching's Secret Manchurian Cup Noodles
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: High sodium (1503mg per 100g)
Fair - [F]CC4Maggi 2-Minute Masala Instant NoodlesFortified
- −Red flag: High sodium (1000mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (8.2g)
Fair - [F]CC4Maggi Double Masala Instant NoodlesFortified
- −Red flag: High sodium (1242mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (9.3g)
Fair - CC4Top Ramen Atta Masala Noodles
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: High sodium (1259.1mg per 100g)
Fair - CC4Wai Wai Masala Delight Instant Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1620mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (9g)
Fair - CC4Wai Wai Ready To Eat Chicken Cup Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1360mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (9g)
Fair - CC4Wai Wai Ready To Eat Veg Masala Cup Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1648mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (9g)
Fair - DC42PM Korean Veg Ramen Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1200mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (11.1g)
Poor - DC4Ching's Secret Manchurian Flavoured Instant Noodles
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: High sodium (1674mg per 100g)
Poor - DC4Maggi Chicken Instant Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (999.9mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (7.6g)
Poor - DC4Maggi Chilly Chow Cuppa Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (988.8mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (13g)
Poor - DC4Maggi Spicy Manchurian Instant Cup Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1333.6mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (13g)
Poor - [F]CC5Malkist Double Chocolatey Cracker BiscuitFortified
- −Red flag: High added sugar (21.6g per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (13.3g)
Poor - DC4Nissin Veggi Manchow Cup Noodles
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: High sodium (1456.3mg per 100g)
Poor - DC4Too Yumm Tom Yum Ramen Instant Noodles - No Palm Oil
- −Red flag: Contains TBHQ
- −Red flag: High sodium (1920mg per 100g)
Poor - DC4Wai Wai Ready To Eat Chicken Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1282.1mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (9.6g)
Poor - DC4Wai Wai Ready To Eat Veg Masala Noodles
- −Red flag: High sodium (1395mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (10g)
Poor - ED4Britannia Cake Fudge it Chocolate Brownie
- −Red flag: High added sugar (40.8g per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (13g)
Very Poor
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