YenzoWhat is E150c (ammonia caramel)?
It is ammonia caramel (class III), a brown colour made by heating carbohydrates with ammonium compounds.
E150cAmmonia caramel (caramel III)
E150c is caramel class III (ammonia caramel), made by heating sugars with ammonium compounds. In food it gives a brown colour to beer, soy sauce and sauces.
- Code
- E150c · INS 150c
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2011
EFSA (2011) found that intake in some population groups can exceed the ADI. On the Yenzo Scale this finding does not raise the risk level by itself.
How much a day stays within the ADI?EFSA 2011: 100 mg/kg bw/day
about 6.5 g a daythat is 6,500 mg
How E150c appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (150c), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (150c)colour 150cE150cINS 150cOn Vietnamese labels: Caramen nhóm III (caramen amoni)
Ammonia caramel in food
Non-alcoholic drinksHard and soft candyChewing gumEdible ices and fruit ice creamBaked goodsCooked noodles and pastaDipping sauces and saucesSoup and broth cubes
Questions about ammonia caramel
Is ammonia caramel harmful?
In 2011 EFSA set a group ADI of 300 mg/kg body weight per day for the four caramel colours and, within it, an individual ADI of 100 mg/kg body weight per day for class III, because of new information on the substance THI in this caramel.
Is E150c permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Caramel III – ammonia caramel (INS 150c) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour.
Other colours
E150Caramel colour (class not printed)lowE150aPlain caramel (caramel I)very lowE150bCaustic sulphite caramel (caramel II)lowE150dSulphite ammonia caramel (caramel IV)lowE151Brilliant black BNlowE153Vegetable carbonvery low
See all colours →Found in these products
Miến Acecook Good vị thịt heo băm (minced pork glass noodles)Acecook · instant noodles
Snack khoai tây Swing vị bít tết (steak)Orion · snacks
Nước vải Yeo's (lychee drink)Yeo's · soft drinks and flavoured drinksUpdated 21 October 2026
Sources (2)
- EFSA Journal: Re-evaluation of caramel colours (E 150a, b, c, d) as food additives (2011). https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2004; EFSA Journal: Refined exposure assessment for caramel colours (E 150a, c, d) (2012).
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 150c