Comparing E150 - Caramel vs E172 - Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

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Overview

E150 - Caramel

Caramel (E150) is a common brown color made by carefully heating sugars. It gives colas, sauces, and baked goods their deep brown tone and sometimes a light roasted taste.

E172 - Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

Iron oxides and iron hydroxides (E172) are mineral pigments used to give foods red, yellow, brown, or black shades. They are insoluble, stable colors made under strict purity standards and are used mainly on the surface of foods, such as coatings and decorations. Rules vary by country: they are widely authorized in the EU, while uses in the U.S. are more limited.

Synonyms

E150

Caramel

E172

Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

Functions

colour

Origins

Products

Found in 795 products

Found in 23 products

Search rank & volume

#2888.5K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#47150 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×16.16

over-aware

×0.44

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Search history data is not available.

Popular questions

How to make caramel?
E150 caramel color is made by heating sugars (e.g., glucose syrup, sucrose, or dextrose) under controlled conditions, sometimes with food-grade acids/alkalis and, for some classes, ammonia and/or sulfites, to form brown coloring compounds. This is an industrial process distinct from making caramel candy at home.
How to make caramel sauce?
Caramel sauce is a kitchen recipe—cook sugar to a deep amber, then carefully whisk in cream and butter; it’s different from E150 caramel color. The additive is produced industrially by controlled heat treatment of sugars to make a coloring, not a sauce.
What is caramel made of?
E150 caramel color is made from carbohydrates (sugars) heated to form complex brown polymers; depending on the class (E150a–d), acids/alkalis, ammonia, and/or sulfites may be used during processing. It contains no dairy or butter unless added in a finished food.
How to pronounce caramel?
Both “KAR-uh-mel” and “KAR-mel” are widely accepted pronunciations.
Can dogs have caramel?
Small amounts of caramel color used in pet foods aren’t considered toxic to dogs, but caramel candies or sauces are not recommended due to sugar and risk of stomach upset, dental issues, and weight gain. Avoid any caramel products sweetened with xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs.