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CAS Number: 8028-89-5 (also 8028-88-0 for caramel colors general)
Synonyms: Caramel color I; E150a; Caustic caramel; Spirit caramel; Plain caramel; Non-ammonia caramel; Food caramel
Physical Properties:
Appearance: Dark brown to black viscous liquid or amorphous powder.
Solubility: Soluble in water and aqueous ethanol (up to ~50% ethanol); insoluble in nonpolar solvents.
Viscosity: Moderate to high (depends on solids content; typically 500–5000 cP at 25°C for liquid forms).
pH (5% solution): 3.0–4.5 (slightly acidic).
Isoelectric point: No amphoteric behavior; anionic overall.
Stability: Good stability in acids (pH >2.5) and ethanol. Less stable in high-phosphate or high-ionic-strength systems (may precipitate).
Color intensity (abs @ 610 nm, 0.1% w/v): 0.05–0.15 (lower than other classes).
Charge: Negative (anionic).
Applications:
Alcoholic beverages: Whisky, brandy, rum, liqueurs, and eaux-de-vie (provides color and flavor without clouding in high-ethanol systems).
Bakery: Breads, cakes, and biscuits (as powder for dough coloring).
Confectionery: Hard candies, toffees, and fondants.
Soups and gravies: Powdered mixes and broths.
Vinegar and soy sauce: Darkening of natural brewed products.
Pet food: Dry kibble coloring.
Tobacco: Casing and coloring for cigarettes and pipe tobacco.
Description:
Plain caramel is produced by heating carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, sucrose, invert sugar) at 160–180°C without any ammonium or sulfite catalysts. The reaction involves caramelization (non-enzymatic browning via dehydration and fragmentation), yielding anionic colloidal aggregates with a burnt-sugar taste. It has the lowest color intensity among the four caramel classes (E150a–d) and the highest ethanol tolerance, making it ideal for spirits. No sulfur or ammonia residues are present. ADI is "not specified" (safest category).
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT PLAIN CARAMEL
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
