EWG's Guide to
Healthy Cleaning

Find products and ingredients Learn how the Guide works Discover EWG VERIFIED®

HOME / INGREDIENTS / Caramel color


C

CARAMEL COLOR

Substance Image

SEARCH PRODUCTS


COMMONLY FOUND IN


SYNONYMS

RT 80, P 255, DS 400, C.I. NATURAL BROWN 10, CARAMEL COLOR DYE, BC 420 (COLOR), AP 680, NATURAL BROWN 10, CARAMEL, CARAMEL COLOR


RESTRICTED

EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation.

Common Concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • No Data
    Asthma / Respiratory
  • No Data
    Skin Allergies & Irritation
  • No Data
    Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
  • No Data
    Cancer
  • No Data
    Environment


Top Scoring Factors

Evidence of chronic aquatic toxicity; damage to DNA; developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects


Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
Health Issue Level of Concern Source
Collapse content Expand content

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.

Known to cause cancer

some

California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)

Known to cause cancer

some

California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)

Possibly carcinogenic to humans

some

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)

Possibly carcinogenic to humans

some

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)

Possibly carcinogenic to humans

some

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)

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

suspected of causing cancer

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

Known to cause cancer

some

California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)

Suspected of causing genetic defects

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

May cause cancer

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

toxic if inhaled

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

Reasonably Anticipated To Be Human Carcinogen

some

National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens

Harmful if swallowed

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

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.

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.

Possibly carcinogenic to humans

some

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)

May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Harmful if swallowed

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Harmful if inhaled

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

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

suspected of causing cancer

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

may damage fertility or the unborn child

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

may cause respiratory irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

fatal if inhaled

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

Toxic in contact with skin

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

toxic if inhaled

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

Toxic of swallowed

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

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

Causes serious eye damage

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

Causes skin irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

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.

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.

Causes skin irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Harmful in contact with skin

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

may cause drowsiness or dizziness

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

Harmful if swallowed

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

causes serious eye irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

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.

may cause respiratory irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

May cause an allergic skin reaction

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

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

Causes serious eye damage

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

Causes skin irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

causes serious eye irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life

low

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database

Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects

low

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

EPA testing shows this substance has low acute toxicity to aquatic life

low

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database

EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life

low

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database

EPA testing shows this substance has low acute toxicity to aquatic life

low

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database

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)



Understanding scores

EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the 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 which determine actual health risks, if any.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Healthy Cleaning ingredient hazard score, from A to F, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend


4

Products with This Ingredient

VIEW ALL PRODUCTS WITH THIS INGREDIENT




Cleaners Healthy Living App Cleaners Healthy Living App

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP