Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)
E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness)
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.
E965 (Maltitol) is a disaccharide polyol sugar alcohol produced by hydrogenation of maltose derived from cornstarch. INS 965(i), ADI is Not Specified (Excessive consumption may have laxative effect), delivering 90% the sweetness of sugar with 2.1 kcal/g.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E150a | E965 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 150a | INS 965(i) (Powder) / 965(ii) (Syrup) |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Brown), Aromatic Flavoring | Bulk Sweetener, Humectant, Texturizer |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Highest purity class) | Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Laxative warning required) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Scotch whisky, bourbon, brandy, rum, balsamic vinegar, craft ales | Sugar-free chocolates, sugar-free gummy bears, baked bars, chewing gum |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Sugar derived), Halal, Kosher, 4-MEI Free | Vegan (Cornstarch origin), Halal, Kosher, Non-cariogenic |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.85) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1444) |
|
Chemical Class
|
Complex polymeric carbohydrate breakdown caramelans, caramelens, caramelins | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Pyrolysis and non-enzymatic caramelization forming high-molecular-weight chromophores | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 90% Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 2.1 kcal / g (47% fewer calories than sugar) kcal/g |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
— | 35 (Maltitol powder) / 52 (Maltitol syrup) |
Other Alternatives to Compare
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E100: Curcumin (Turmeric Yellow Color) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E140: Chlorophyll & Chlorophyllins (Green Color) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E160c: Paprika Extract (Capsanthin / Capsorubin) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E162: Beetroot Red (Betanin) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) →
Compare E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →