Is e1501iii vegan?

The label entry e1501iii is an optical character recognition misreading or typographical error for E150iii, commonly known as ammonia caramel or caramel III. This additive is a dark brown food coloring used in commercial food processing to provide color and visual consistency. It frequently appears in items such as soy sauce, beer, gravies, vinegar, brown sauces, baked goods, and confectionery.

Caramel III is produced through the controlled heat treatment of food-grade carbohydrates in the presence of ammonium compounds. The carbohydrates used as starting materials are derived from plant sources, most commonly corn, wheat, or sugar beets. The ammonium catalysts that facilitate the caramelization reaction are mineral or synthetic chemical compounds.

This ingredient receives a vegan verdict because it is synthesized entirely from plant-derived carbohydrates and synthetic or mineral agents. Animal-derived ingredients, byproducts, and processing aids are not utilized at any stage of its manufacture. Food products displaying this additive code are therefore suitable for consumers following a vegan diet.