Huanfa Biotechnology's NS 150d Caramel Color Class IV (E150d, Ammonia Sulphite Process) — a high-tinctorial-power liquid and powder caramel color manufactured under FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Kosher & Halal certifications. Excellent acid, salt, heat and light stability. Ideal for cola soft drinks, soy sauce, seasonings, bakery, confectionery, alcoholic beverages and pet food. Low 4-MEI. Global shipping from Guangdong, China.
NS 150d is Huanfa Biotechnology's flagship Caramel Color Class IV (E150d) — the internationally designated "sulphite ammonia caramel," produced through the controlled thermal treatment of food-grade carbohydrates (glucose syrup and high fructose syrup) in the presence of both ammonium and sulfite compounds. This dual-reactant process is the origin of the professional English name: Caramel Color Class IV (Ammonia Sulphite Process).
Class IV is the most widely used of the four caramel color classes recognised by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), accounting for approximately 58% of global consumption. Its dominance is a direct consequence of its defining technical property: a strong negative colloidal charge that confers exceptional stability in acidic systems down to pH 2.0 — the chemical environment of cola beverages, which are responsible for the majority of caramel color demand worldwide.
NS 150d is manufactured at Huanfa's 250,000-square-metre integrated facility in Zhaoqing, Guangdong, using glucose syrup and high fructose syrup produced in-house from non-GMO corn. This captive carbohydrate feedstock eliminates the raw-material variability that independent color houses cannot control, delivering batch-to-batch consistency in color intensity, hue, and stability. The product is available in both liquid and spray-dried powder forms, with low 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) content achieved through Huanfa's proprietary patented manufacturing technology — ensuring compliance with the most stringent international regulatory frameworks, including EU Regulation (EC) 231/2012, the US Food Chemicals Codex (FCC), and California Proposition 65 thresholds.
Whether you are dosing liquid NS 150d into a 10,000-litre cola batch, blending powder into a dry seasoning premix, or shipping bulk via ISO tank to an overseas bottling plant, Huanfa NS 150d is engineered to deliver consistent, compliant, and cost-effective brown-to-black coloration across the broadest range of food and beverage applications.
Superior acid stability (pH 2–8): The strong negative colloidal charge of NS 150d maintains full color intensity and clarity in highly acidic systems down to pH 2.0 — the defining property for carbonated cola beverages formulated with phosphoric acid, where other caramel classes precipitate or fade.
High tinctorial power at low dosage: Delivers deep brown-to-black coloration at typical dosages of 0.05–0.3% of finished beverage weight — cost-effective without affecting flavour balance or introducing off-notes.
Excellent salt tolerance: Remains stable and fully soluble in high-salt environments (up to 20% NaCl) — essential in soy sauce, fish sauce, and bouillon production.
Heat and light stability: Withstands pasteurisation, retorting, UHT processing, and hot-fill without significant color loss or hue shift.
Alcohol compatibility: Stable in systems up to approximately 30% ABV — suitable for dark beers, liqueurs, and culinary wines.
Low 4-MEI profile: Consistently at or below 10 ppm on an equivalent color basis — supporting global regulatory compliance.
Clear, transparent solutions: Produces crystal-clear reddish-brown aqueous solutions without haze or sediment — critical for glass-bottled beverages.
NS 150d Liquid Caramel Color (Standard Form)
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
| Product Name | Caramel Color Class IV (Ammonia Sulphite Process) | E150d / INS 150d |
| CAS Number | 8028-89-5 | EINECS 232-435-9 |
| Appearance | Dark brown to black-brown viscous liquid | — |
| Odour / Taste | Characteristic caramel; slightly bitter | — |
| Color Intensity (610 nm, 0.1% w/v) | 0.240–0.260 | Single strength; custom strengths available |
| Tinctorial Power (560 nm, 0.1% w/v) | 0.380–0.410 | — |
| Specific Gravity (@ 20°C) | 1.270–1.310 | — |
| Dry Matter (Solids) | 52–58% | — |
| pH (as is) | 2.50–3.50 | Characteristic Class IV acidic range |
| Viscosity (@ 25°C) | 150–300 mPa·s | Pumpable at ambient temperature |
| Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) | ≤ 0.2% (on color basis) | Compliant with EU 231/2012, FCC |
| Total Nitrogen | 0.3–1.7% (on color basis) | — |
| 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI) | ≤ 10 ppm (on equivalent color basis) | Proprietary low-4-MEI process |
| Colloidal Charge | Strong negative (pH 2–8) | Basis of acid stability |
| Solubility | Fully miscible in water; clear reddish-brown solution; no turbidity | — |
NS 150d Powder Caramel Color (Spray-Dried)
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
| Appearance | Dark brown to black-brown free-flowing powder | — |
| Moisture | ≤ 6.0% | — |
| Solubility in Water | ≥ 98% (clear solution) | — |
| Bulk Density | 450–650 g/L | — |
| pH (5% solution) | 4.0–6.5 | — |
| 4-MEI | ≤ 10 ppm (on equivalent color basis) | — |
Heavy Metals & Microbiological Standards (Liquid & Powder)
| Parameter | Specification |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg |
| Total Plate Count (liquid) | ≤ 200 CFU/g |
| E. coli / Coliforms | Absent |
| Salmonella | Absent / 25 g |
| Yeast & Mold (liquid) | ≤ 10 CFU/g |
Shelf Life by Product Form
| Product Form | Shelf Life | Key Storage Considerations |
| Liquid NS 150d | 3–9 months from date of manufacture | Store 15–25°C, sealed; viscosity rises at low temperature (reversible with gentle warming); avoid freezing — freeze-thaw irreversibly damages colloidal stability; prolonged >30°C accelerates degradation |
| Powder NS 150d | 12–24 months from date of manufacture | Store ≤ 55% relative humidity; hygroscopic — keep in sealed moisture-barrier packaging; use promptly once opened |
Packaging Options
Liquid Caramel Color
| Packaging Type | Net Weight / Volume | Best Suited For |
| Food-grade HDPE jerrycan | 25 kg | R&D trials, small volumes |
| HDPE / lined steel drum | 200 L (~250 kg) | Standard industrial dosing |
| IBC tote (HDPE, steel cage) | 1,000–1,250 kg | High-volume production lines |
| Flexitank (20' container) | 22–24 metric tons | Bulk export efficiency |
| ISO tank container | 24–26 metric tons | International bulk shipping |
| Bulk road tanker | Per order | Regional bulk delivery |
Powder Caramel Color
| Packaging Type | Net Weight | Best Suited For |
| Multi-wall kraft paper bag with PE liner | 25 kg/bag | Standard food manufacturing |
| Aluminium-foil-lined kraft bag | 25 kg | Tropical destinations, extended storage |
| Big bag / FIBC | 500–1,000 kg | High-volume dry blending |
| Custom / private label | Per inquiry | OEM formats |
1. Carbonated Soft Drinks — The Defining Application
Cola beverages (classic, diet, zero-sugar): NS 150d delivers the iconic dark brown color at 0.1–0.3% w/w, with acid stability unmatched by any other caramel class.
Root beer & dark sodas: Provides the rich brown color consumers expect.
Energy drinks: Contributes deep brown-to-black color while maintaining flow through high-speed filling lines.
Sparkling functional beverages: Adds visual warmth at low inclusion rates without sweetness or calories.
2. Soy Sauce & Fermented Condiments
Soy sauce (brewed & blended): Standardises bottle-to-bottle color across natural fermentation batches; salt-stable in 20% NaCl systems.
Oyster sauce: Contributes the dark glossy brown and visual body of premium products.
Fish sauce & vinegar-based sauces: Color depth without cloudiness in transparent packaging.
Hoisin, teriyaki, and sweet soy glaze: Deep lacquered brown with high gloss.
3. Seasonings, Bouillons & Savory Dry Mixes
Bouillon powder/cubes: Powder form delivers consistent golden-to-dark brown on reconstitution.
Instant noodle seasoning packets: Brown broth color in seconds; powder form disperses uniformly.
Gravy & sauce mixes: Deep brown visual richness in dry blends.
Marinades & injection brines: Desirable brown color development during cooking.
4. Bakery Products
Dark breads & rye breads: Deepens crumb color at 0.5–2.0% of flour weight.
Biscuits & cookies: Enhances golden-to-dark brown surface color after baking.
Cakes & muffins: Intensifies chocolate crumb color, reducing cocoa requirement.
5. Confectionery
Caramels & toffees: Standardises natural caramel color across batches.
Chocolate-flavoured confectionery: Deepens color, allowing cocoa solids reduction.
Licorice & black candies: Intense black-brown for licorice and dark confections.
6. Alcoholic Beverages
Dark beers & stouts: Standardises color across malt variations.
Liqueurs & bitters: Deep brown for coffee, chocolate, and caramel flavours (≤30% ABV).
7. Pet Food
Dry kibble: Uniform brown across production runs; masks natural ingredient variation.
Wet pet food: Rich brown gravy and meat-chunk coloration.
Pet treats: Consistent golden-to-dark surface color.
8. Dairy & Desserts
Chocolate milk: Brown depth without added cocoa solids.
Caramel-flavoured desserts: Visual reinforcement of flavour expectation.
Dessert syrups & toppings: Rich brown and gloss.
Applications by Industry Sector — At a Glance
| Industry Sector | Primary Function | Preferred Form | Typical Dosage |
| Carbonated Soft Drinks | Acid-stable brown coloration | Liquid | 0.05–0.3% |
| Soy Sauce & Condiments | Salt-stable color standardisation | Liquid | 0.5–3.0% |
| Bouillons & Seasonings | Dry-blend powder color | Powder | 0.5–3.0% |
| Bakery | Crumb/crust color | Liquid or Powder | 0.5–2.0% of flour |
| Confectionery | Color intensification | Liquid or Powder | Formulation-dependent |
| Alcoholic Beverages | Dark beer standardisation | Liquid | 0.1–0.5% |
| Pet Food | Kibble/gravy uniformity | Liquid or Powder | 0.1–1.0% |
| Dairy & Desserts | Chocolate/caramel color | Liquid | 0.05–0.3% |
Why Choose Huanfa NS 150d?
1. Vertically Integrated Carbohydrate Supply
Huanfa produces its own glucose syrup and high fructose syrup within the same integrated facility — a captive, quality-controlled feedstock that independent houses cannot match. This is the foundation of batch-to-batch consistency.
2. Proprietary Low-4-MEI Technology
Huanfa's patented process consistently delivers 4-MEI at or below 10 ppm (equivalent basis) — compliant with EU, FDA, and California Proposition 65 limits, giving brand owners formulation flexibility across global markets.
3. Liquid + Powder from One Manufacturer
Single-supplier sourcing for both forms — identical base , matching standards, simplified procurement, and flexible switching between liquid and powder as production needs evolve.
4. Internationally Recognized Certifications
FSSC 22000 — GFSI-benchmarked food safety system
ISO 9001:2015 — Quality management system
ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental management system
Kosher & Halal Certified — Global market access
Non-GMO — Verified corn-derived carbohydrate feedstocks
5. Global Brand Track Record
Huanfa's caramel s and starch derivatives are trusted by Mars Wrigley, Nestlé, Heinz, Perfetti Van Melle, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Colgate-Palmolive.
6. Strategic Logistics
Three hours from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong ports — competitive ocean freight, ISO tank and flexitank experience for bulk liquid shipments worldwide.
Q: What does NS 150d mean?
A: NS 150d is Huanfa's product code for Caramel Color Class IV, the internationally classified "sulphite ammonia caramel" (E150d / INS 150d). The professional English name is Caramel Color Class IV (Ammonia Sulphite Process).
Q: Which form should I choose — liquid or powder?
A: Liquid for in-plant liquid dosing in beverages, sauces, and liquid seasonings. Powder for dry blending into seasoning mixes, bouillon powders, and bakery premixes — and when the extended shelf life (12–24 months vs 3–9 months) is needed.
Q: Is NS 150d low in 4-MEI?
A: Yes. The proprietary process delivers ≤10 ppm on an equivalent color basis, compliant with EU Regulation 231/2012, FCC, and California Proposition 65 thresholds. Batch data is included on every COA.
Q: Can you match a specific color intensity or hue?
A: Yes — single, double, or custom strength, with adjustable red-to-yellow hue index. Provide a reference sample or spectrophotometric targets for matching.
Q: What are the MOQ and lead time?
A: Liquid: one 200 L drum for trials; one 20-foot container for commercial. Powder: 25 kg sample; container for commercial. Lead time 15–20 days standard; ISO tank/flexitank orders add 3–5 days.
EN
