Is E150d halal?

What is E150d?

Sulphite ammonia caramel is the darkest caramel colour. It is made by heating food-grade sugars such as glucose syrup or sucrose with both sulphite and ammonium compounds. It is the class typically used to colour cola drinks.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

Its raw materials are plant-derived sugars plus sulphite and ammonium salts, which are mineral chemicals. No animal material or alcohol is used, so the colour itself is generally treated as halal. Any concern about a cola or a sauce comes from its other ingredients, not from E150d.

How to check the label

No special check is needed for E150d. As with any packaged food, read the rest of the ingredient list, since the colour says nothing about the other ingredients.

Where you'll find it

• cola drinks
• soft drinks
• sauces
• baked goods

Good to know

• In 2011 EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake of 300 mg per kg of body weight per day for all four caramel colours (E150a–d).
• EU specifications cap 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a by-product of the process, at 250 mg/kg on a standard colour-strength basis.
• On labels it may appear as caramel colour, sulphite ammonia caramel or class IV caramel.

Similar additives

• E150a Plain caramel Generally halal
• E150c 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)

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