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Side-by-Side Comparison Food Additives & E-Numbers

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)

E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)

Highlight Diffs (10)

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) →

E150a (Class I / Plain Caramel) is produced by controlled thermal heating of food carbohydrates without ammonium or sulfite compounds. INS 150a, ADI is Not Specified, yielding a warm brown-amber color in spirits, whiskey, and vinegars.

View full E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) spec sheet →

E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) →

E306 is a natural mixture of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols steam-distilled from vegetable oils (soybean, sunflower). INS 306, ADI is Not Limited, serving as the gold standard lipid-soluble antioxidant in fats and oils.

View full E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)	E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)
E-Number Code	E150a	E306
INS / Codex Number	INS 150a	INS 306
Functional Class	Food Color (Brown), Aromatic Flavoring	Antioxidant (Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor)
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)	Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Highest purity class)	Not Limited (Quantum Satis)
Primary Mechanism	Pyrolysis and non-enzymatic caramelization forming high-molecular-weight chromophores	Free-radical scavenger donating phenolic hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals (ROO•), breaking lipid auto-oxidation chain
Common Target Foods	Scotch whisky, bourbon, brandy, rum, balsamic vinegar, craft ales	Vegetable cooking oils, margarines, infant formula, fish oil capsules, potato crisps
Dietary Compliance	100% Vegan (Sugar derived), Halal, Kosher, 4-MEI Free	100% Vegan (Plant oil distillate), Halal, Kosher Certified
Safety Approval	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.85)	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1890)
Chemical Class	Complex polymeric carbohydrate breakdown caramelans, caramelens, caramelins	—
Active Isomers	—	d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Alpha-Tocopherol

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