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CARAMEL COLOR

 

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation.

Asthma/Respiratory
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Skin Allergies &
Irritation
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Developmental &
Reproductive Toxicity
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Cancer
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Environment
 
No Data, Some Concern
 
Top scoring factors: Evidence of chronic aquatic toxicity; damage to DNA; developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects
CARAMEL COLOR can be found in 25 products.
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Evidence

Health issue
 
Level of Concern
 
Source
Caramel food colorings contain carcinogenic impurities at unsafe levels.
Only in: Food Scores®
 
some
 
Michael F. Jacobson. 2012. Carcinogenicity and regulation of caramel colorings. International journal of occupational and environmental health 18(3), 254-9.
This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
low
 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA - Priority based Assessment of Food Additive (PAFA)

Impurities

Health issue
 
Level of Concern
 
Source
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
Known to cause cancer
 
some
 
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: FURAN
Known to cause cancer
 
some
 
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
 
some
 
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
 
some
 
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: FURAN
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
 
some
 
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
suspected of causing cancer
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Known to cause cancer
 
some
 
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: FURAN
Suspected of causing genetic defects
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FURAN
May cause cancer
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FURAN
toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FURAN
Reasonably Anticipated To Be Human Carcinogen
 
some
 
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL
EFSA: Safety under reevaluation in the light of new data on genotoxicity, subchronic toxicity and carcinogenicity.
Only in: Food Scores®
 
some
 
2011. Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of caramel colours (E 150 a,b,c,d) as food additives. EFSA Journal 9(3), 2004.
Impurity: 2-ACETYL-4-TETRAHYDROXY-BUTYLIMIDAZOLE
EFSA: Safety under reevaluation in the light of new data on genotoxicity, subchronic toxicity and carcinogenicity.
Only in: Food Scores®
 
some
 
2011. Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of caramel colours (E 150 a,b,c,d) as food additives. EFSA Journal 9(3), 2004.
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
 
some
 
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: FURAN
May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FURAN
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FURAN
Harmful if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
suspected of causing cancer
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
may damage fertility or the unborn child
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL
may cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FURAN
fatal if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FURAN
Toxic of swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL
A review article reports that this substance is genotoxic and carcinogenic based on in vivo and in vitro testing.
 
some
 
Ummay Mahfuza Shapla, Md Solayman, Nadia Alam, Md Ibrahim Khalil & Siew Hua Gan. 2018. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) levels in honey and other food products: effects on bees and human health. Chemistry Central journal 12(1), 35.
Impurity: 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL
A review article reports that this substance is toxic to the kidneys.
 
some
 
Ummay Mahfuza Shapla, Md Solayman, Nadia Alam, Md Ibrahim Khalil & Siew Hua Gan. 2018. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) levels in honey and other food products: effects on bees and human health. Chemistry Central journal 12(1), 35.
Impurity: FURAN
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Harmful in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
may cause drowsiness or dizziness
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL
An assessment by the National Toxicology Program reports limited evidence of carcinogenicity.
 
some
 
National Toxicology Program. 2010. NTP toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (CAS No. 67-47-0) in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice (gavage studies). Natl Toxicol Program Tech Rep Ser. 554.
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
may cause respiratory irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: 4-METHYLIMIDAZOLE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
 
some
 
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FURAN
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Impurity: FURAN
Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
 
low
 
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
EPA testing shows this substance has low acute toxicity to aquatic life
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Impurity: FURAN
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Impurity: IMIDAZOLE, 2-METHYL-
EPA testing shows this substance has low acute toxicity to aquatic life
 
low
 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
 
 
About the ratings About the ratings
EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific... continue reading →
EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors that determine actual health risks, if any. (Hide)
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