Caramel, but not as you know it. Most caramel colours added to foods are heavily processed and not what you would initially have thought…

This is one of the sneakiest additives you will find on the supermarket shelves. åÊIt is generally made by heating some form of carbohydrate, either wheat or corn, but it can also be made from malt syrup (barley) or lactose (milk). So if you have an allergen to any of these things, you should also be avoiding caramel colours. There is also numerous talk that caramel colour is derived from genetically modified ingredients.

What is Caramel Added To?

Did you know that caramel is not just used for flavouring, but also for colouring? Some of the things you may find caramel in:

  • Vegemite
  • Gravy mix
  • Salad dressings
  • BBQ sauce
  • Brown vinegar
  • Soy sauce
  • Lollies
  • Bread
  • Seasonings
  • Cereals
  • Butterscotch flavoured things
  • Soft drinks (cola)
  • Biscuits
  • Cakes
  • Pancakes
  • Ice cream
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Even pet food

Studies have shown that Caramel, that has been produced with ammonium (150c and 150d), has been linked to gastrointestinal problems, including Irritable Bowel Syndromes (Dr David Huntly PhD). There are also numerous animal studies linking caramel colours to cancer.

The Centre for Science in the Public Interest state that Carcinogenic colourings have no place in the food supply, especially considering that their only function is a cosmetic one,‰ said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. ‰The FDA should act quickly to revoke its approval of caramel colourings made with ammonia.‰

‰Most people would interpret ‰caramel colouring‰ to mean ‰coloured with caramel,‰ but this particular ingredient has little in common with ordinary caramel or caramel candy,‰ Jacobson said. ‰It‰s a concentrated dark brown mixture of chemicals that simply does not occur in nature. Regular caramel isn’t healthful, but at least it is not tainted with carcinogens.‰

(image sourced from Wikipedia)

There are switches that you can make and this is what we teach you during Additive Free Made Easy. You don’t have to go without some of your favourite food products, you can either make your own or find something that doesn‰’t contain caramel, it‰s just a matter of knowing what to look out for.

A lot of the additives we talk about, including caramel, have only been around for few decades, so the studies are only just starting to show us what the side effects are of eating these things are. There are a lot of wellness advocates bringing light to this stuff, so never underestimate the difference you can make by voicing your opinion to food companies about their use of these type of flavours and colours.

We‰’re pretty excited about all the positive movement happening in the food world! Discuss the switches you can make in the comments below and if you want to continue your learning, please join us in the next round of Additive Free Made Easy.

Links & Resources