Caramel IV, or sulphite ammonia caramel, is one of four classes of caramel colour. All of them are made by heating sugars such as glucose syrup or sucrose under controlled conditions; for class IV, both sulphite and ammonium compounds are added during heating. The result is a very dark brown colour with a negative charge, which keeps it stable in acidic foods and drinks. It is INS 150d and E150d, and Codex lists it as a colour.
Unlike the caramel made in a pan, caramel colour is used for appearance rather than taste. In biscuits it deepens the brown of chocolate doughs and creams. On SeekSnack it is labelled as a natural colour on several Koala’s March biscuits, including Black Koala’s March Bitter Chocolate, and on Arnott’s Good Time Classic Chocochips Cookies.
Caramel IV has been evaluated by JECFA and is permitted in Thailand and the EU. Cola drinks typically get their colour from this class of caramel.
