Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)
E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
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.
E951 (Aspartame) is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide yielding ~200x the sweetness of sucrose. INS 951, ADI is 40 mg/kg bw/day, the historic sweetener in Diet Coke and tabletop sweetener packets.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E150a | E951 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 150a | INS 951 |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Brown), Aromatic Flavoring | High-Intensity Artificial Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Highest purity class) | 40 mg / kg body weight per day (US FDA: 50 mg/kg) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Pyrolysis and non-enzymatic caramelization forming high-molecular-weight chromophores | Stimulates T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors with clean, sugar-like taste profile |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Scotch whisky, bourbon, brandy, rum, balsamic vinegar, craft ales | Diet sodas, tabletop sweetener packets (Equal), sugar-free gelatin desserts, drink mixes |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Sugar derived), Halal, Kosher, 4-MEI Free | Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, Contains Phenylalanine (Warning for PKU patients mandatory) |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.85) | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.804) |
|
Chemical Class
|
Complex polymeric carbohydrate breakdown caramelans, caramelens, caramelins | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 4.0 kcal / g (Negligible at use levels / ~0.1 kcal per serving) kcal/g |
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