Why not call every caramel color Class IV?
Because the label did not say so. Class IV has its own names and code. Unspecified caramel color stays on the unspecified page.
Artificial dyes
Caramel Color IV
Class IV caramel color, also called sulfite ammonia caramel or E150d.
Matches personal ingredient preferences based on label evidence; not medical, allergy, or dietary safety advice
What the label is naming
Caramel color has four classes. Class IV is the sulfite ammonia process, coded E150d. This entry matches only when the label specifies IV, 4, class IV, E150d, or sulfite ammonia caramel. A bare caramel color line uses the unspecified caramel entry instead, because the class was not printed.
Where it hides
Colas, dark breads, soy sauce alternatives, and barbecue sauces sometimes specify the class, especially on imported labels. Most US labels stop at caramel color.
Names and codes
- Caramel Color IV
- Caramel Color Class IV
- E150d
- Sulfite ammonia caramel
Aisles to check
- Cola
- Barbecue sauce
- Dark bread
Label-reading tips
- E150d is Class IV specifically.
- Plain caramel color does not get upgraded to Class IV by assumption.
Check a label for Caramel Color IV
Paste an ingredient list. This checker looks only for Caramel Color IV. It does not score the rest of the food.
Questions
Is E150d the same as E150?
E150d is the Class IV code. A bare E150 is handled with unspecified caramel color and is not relabeled as IV.