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

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)

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

Comparing:

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)

E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)

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 →

E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) →

E407 (Carrageenan) is a high-molecular-weight sulfated polygalactan extracted from red edible seaweeds (Chondrus crispus / Irish Moss). INS 407, ADI is 75 mg/kg bw/day, famed for stabilizing cocoa suspension in chocolate milk via kappa-casein binding.

View full E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)	E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)
E-Number Code	E150a	E407
INS / Codex Number	INS 150a	INS 407
Functional Class	Food Color (Brown), Aromatic Flavoring	Thickener, Gelling Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)	Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Highest purity class)	75 mg / kg body weight per day
Primary Mechanism	Pyrolysis and non-enzymatic caramelization forming high-molecular-weight chromophores	Negative sulfate esters cross-link with positive charges on milk kappa-casein micelles
Common Target Foods	Scotch whisky, bourbon, brandy, rum, balsamic vinegar, craft ales	Chocolate milks, whipping creams, plant-based milks, deli turkey meats (water binding)
Dietary Compliance	100% Vegan (Sugar derived), Halal, Kosher, 4-MEI Free	100% Vegan (Marine seaweed), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.85)	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 172.620)
Chemical Class	Complex polymeric carbohydrate breakdown caramelans, caramelens, caramelins	—
Major Types	—	Kappa (Rigid brittle gel), Iota (Elastic thixotropic gel), Lambda (Non-gelling thickener)

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