Food
Caramel Color is on My Ingredient List? Is it Gluten Free?
Caramel color is an additive often found in foods such as drinks, beer, sauces, meat products and a variety of baked goods. But is it gluten free?
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Caramel color is an additive often found in foods such as drinks, beer, sauces, meat products and a variety of baked goods. But is it gluten free?
Caramel color is an additive often found in foods such as drinks, beer, sauces, meat products and a variety of baked goods. Is is used mainly for cosmetic purposes, to make foods and beverages have a uniform appearance and enhance flavor in some cases. Caramel color is made by heating up a type of sugar or sugar alternative, such as corn syrup.
Caramel color is generally considered safe for consumption by regulatory agencies, such as the FDA in the United States. However, the processing of caramel color can sometimes lead to the production of a carcinogen called methylimidazole due to the use of ammonium compounds.
Most caramel color, especially in North and South America, is not derived from wheat-based glucose syrup and is gluten free. Even in other areas where caramel color is derived from wheat-based glucose syrup, the caramel color has tested under 20 ppm for gluten. So, if you see caramel color on your ingredient list, this particular ingredient is, in our opinion, gluten free.
