Is E150c halal?

What is E150c?

Ammonia caramel is a dark brown colour made by heating food-grade sugars such as glucose syrup or sucrose together with ammonium compounds, for example ammonium carbonate or ammonium hydroxide. No sulphites are used in this class.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

It is made only from plant-derived sugars and ammonium salts, which are mineral chemicals. There is no animal source and no alcohol in production, so it is generally treated as halal, like the other caramel colours. Any concern in a sauce or gravy would come from other ingredients, not from the colour.

How to check the label

No special check is needed for the colour itself. Look at the other ingredients of the product, especially in sauces and gravies, where meat extracts or wine may be present.

Where you'll find it

• soy sauce
• gravies and sauces
• baked goods
• confectionery

Good to know

• Within the caramel group ADI, EFSA set a lower individual acceptable daily intake of 100 mg per kg of body weight per day for this class in 2011.
• EU specifications limit by-products of the ammonia process, such as 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) and THI.
• On labels it may appear as caramel colour, ammonia caramel or class III caramel.

Similar additives

• E150a Plain caramel Generally halal
• E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel Generally halal
• E100 Curcumin Generally halal
• E102 Tartrazine Generally halal
• E110 Sunset Yellow FCF Generally halal
• E124 Ponceau 4R Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. EFSA re-evaluation of caramel colours (E 150 a,b,c,d) (2011)

Frequently asked questions