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Doubtful — depends on source
E150 (Caramel colour) is a brown colour made by heating sugars; it is usually halal, but is treated as doubtful because some processes use ammonia or other reactants and a few may involve trace alcohol.
Caramel colour is a brown food colouring made by controlled heating of sugars. It comes in four classes (E150a–d) that differ in the reactants used — plain (E150a), caustic-sulphite (E150b), ammonia (E150c) and sulphite-ammonia (E150d).
Sugars (such as glucose) are heated, sometimes with acids, alkalis or salts (including ammonium or sulphite compounds depending on the class). Plain caramel (E150a) uses no ammonia or sulphite.
Caramel colour is generally considered halal, since it is made from sugar. It is treated as doubtful mainly as a caution: some manufacturing involves reactants, and a small number of processes may involve trace alcohol as a solvent. Plain caramel (E150a) is the most straightforward; for strict avoidance of any alcohol trace, verify the class and process.
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
Caramel colourE150E150aE150cE150dColour (caramel)INS number: 150
In Singapore, verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register or contact the manufacturer if you need to confirm the caramel class or process.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
It is generally considered halal, as it is made from sugar. It is treated as doubtful mainly as a caution about reactants and possible trace alcohol in some processes — plain caramel (E150a) is the most straightforward.
No, it is made from sugar. A small number of processes may involve trace alcohol as a solvent; verify the class/process if you avoid all traces.
'Caramel colour', 'E150' or the specific class 'E150a'–'E150d'.
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.