Toxicology caramels

One of the major considerations of the research requested by JECFA was the safety aspects which was not surprising in view of the chemical complexity of the caramels. The program resulted in the publication of 11 papers in the same issue of the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology 1992 (Vol. 30) and seven of them were on toxicology. Caramel colorants were given a clean bill of health and JECFA assigned an ADI of 0-200 mg/kg/day. 

Seinen, W., Vos, J.G. and Van Loveren, H. (1993) Immunotoxic effects of the color additive caramel color 111 immune function studies in rats. Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 20, 30-37. 

Properties Colorless or pale straw liq. caramel, fruity, jam odor darkens on exposure to air and daylight m.w. 152.15 sp.gr. 1.181 (23 C) b.p. 206-209 C flash pt. 205 F ref. index 1.4945 Toxicology May be harmful by inh., ing., skin absorp. may cause eye/skin irritation, irritation to mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract TSCA listed... 

Properties Colorless liq., sweet herbaceous caramellic odor sol. in alcohol, propylene glycol si. sol. in water m.w. 128.21 b.p. 116C Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) 3400 mg/kg mod. toxic by ing. TSCA listed Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits acrid smoke and irritating vapors Uses Synthetic flavoring agent in foods and pharmaceuticals... 

Properties Wh. cryst. powd. sweet caramel odor fruity, sweet taste sol. in water, alcohol, propylene glycol, chloroform m.w. 140.14 m.p. 88-92 C Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) 1150 mg/kg,... 

Properties Colorless si. oily liq., sweet nut-like caramel odor sol. in alcohol misc. with fixed oils insol. in water m.w. 128.17 dens. 0.997-1.004 (20 C) b.p. 61-62 C (2 mm) ref. index 1.4420 Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) > 5 g/kg, (skin, rabbit) > 5 g/kg primary skin irritant TSCA listed... 

Properties Cream-colored nonhygroscopic powd., caramel odor sparingly sol. in water m.w. 895.30 m.p. 45-60 C HLB 5.1 acid no. 50-86 pH 4.7 (2% aq. susp.) Toxicology No known toxicity TSCA listed... 

Formula CH3(CH2),6COOCHCH3COOCHCH3COONa Properties Wh. or cream-colored powd. caramel odor sol. in hot oil or fat disp. in warm water m.w. 450.60 m.p. 46-52 C HLB10-12 HLB 10.0-12.0 Toxicology Nonirritant TSCA listed... 

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