Caramel Color

caution

Caramel Color is a widely used pet food ingredient. Based on veterinary research, this ingredient has worth keeping an eye on. Below, we explain what we found and list the products that include it.

Why it's flagged

A cosmetic dye. Your pet doesn't care what color their food is. Some types of caramel color contain a byproduct (4-MEI) that's been flagged as a possible carcinogen. The EU banned it from pet food in 2023. No nutritional benefit at all.

Sources

NTP TR-535 2007 (4-MEI carcinogenicity in mice)
IARC Monographs Vol. 101 (Group 2B, 4-MEI)
California Proposition 65 (4-MEI listed 2011)
EU Commission 2023 (E150b/c/d banned in pet food, phase-out by July 2025)

We found Caramel Color in 160 of the products we analyzed.

Products containing Caramel Color

Meow Mix Tender Favorites Poultry & Beef

Tender Favorites Poultry & Beef

Meow Mix

gold #78 of 354 $0.25/oz

Meow Mix Tender Favorites Surf 'N Turf Variety Pack

Tender Favorites Surf 'N Turf Variety Pack

Meow Mix

gold #40 of 354 $0.27/oz

9 Lives Hearty Cuts with Real Beef & Chicken in Gravy

Hearty Cuts with Real Beef & Chicken in Gravy

9 Lives

bronze #1619 of 1701 $0.15/oz

Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce with Real Turkey & Giblets

Tenders in Sauce with Real Turkey & Giblets

Meow Mix

gold #375 of 1701 $0.26/oz

9 Lives Hearty Cuts with Real Turkey in Gravy

Hearty Cuts with Real Turkey in Gravy

9 Lives

bronze #1604 of 1701 $0.14/oz

9 Lives Poultry & Beef Favorites Variety Pack

Poultry & Beef Favorites Variety Pack

9 Lives

bronze #329 of 354 $0.14/oz

9 Lives Gravy Favorites Variety Pack

Gravy Favorites Variety Pack

9 Lives

bronze #326 of 354 $0.14/oz

Meow Mix Classic Favorites Tenders in Sauce Variety Pack

Classic Favorites Tenders in Sauce Variety Pack

Meow Mix

gold #35 of 354 $0.25/oz

Sheba Gravy Indulgence Beef Entree in Extra Gravy

Gravy Indulgence Beef Entree in Extra Gravy

Sheba

bronze #1237 of 1701 $0.54/oz

Sheba Gravy Indulgence Chicken Entree in Extra Gravy

Gravy Indulgence Chicken Entree in Extra Gravy

Sheba

silver #1078 of 1701 $0.45/oz

Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy with Real Chicken & Duck

SmartBlend True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy with Real Chicken & Duck

Purina ONE

silver #504 of 861 $0.19/oz

Iams Perfect Portions Variety Pack Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy

Perfect Portions Variety Pack Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy

Iams

bronze #291 of 354 $0.53/oz

Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Roasted Chicken Cuts in Gravy Entree

Perfect Portions Grain-Free Roasted Chicken Cuts in Gravy Entree

Sheba

bronze #1233 of 1701 $0.46/oz

Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Tender Turkey Cuts in Gravy Entree

Perfect Portions Grain-Free Tender Turkey Cuts in Gravy Entree

Sheba

bronze #1267 of 1701 $0.46/oz

Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Savory Mixed Grill Cuts in Gravy Entree

Perfect Portions Grain-Free Savory Mixed Grill Cuts in Gravy Entree

Sheba

bronze #1244 of 1701 $0.46/oz

Purina ONE SmartBlend Tender Cuts in Gravy Variety Pack

SmartBlend Tender Cuts in Gravy Variety Pack

Purina ONE

silver #77 of 190 $0.15/oz

Kibbles 'n Bits Mini Bits Savory Bacon & Steak Flavor Small Breed

Mini Bits Savory Bacon & Steak Flavor Small Breed

Kibbles 'n Bits

bronze #1115 of 1163 $0.06/oz

Kibbles 'n Bits Savory Bacon & Steak Flavor

Savory Bacon & Steak Flavor

Kibbles 'n Bits

bronze #1133 of 1163 $0.06/oz

Kibbles 'n Bits Mini Bits Savory Beef & Chicken Flavors Small Breed

Mini Bits Savory Beef & Chicken Flavors Small Breed

Kibbles 'n Bits

bronze #1120 of 1163 $0.10/oz

Kibbles 'n Bits Bistro Mini Bits Beef, Vegetable & Apple Small Breed

Bistro Mini Bits Beef, Vegetable & Apple Small Breed

Kibbles 'n Bits

bronze #1135 of 1163 $0.13/oz

Temptations Tasty Chicken Flavor Bites in Gravy

Tasty Chicken Flavor Bites in Gravy

Temptations

bronze #1558 of 1701 $0.23/oz

Temptations Bites in Gravy Flavor Variety

Bites in Gravy Flavor Variety

Temptations

bronze #1556 of 1701 $0.21/oz

9 Lives Turkey Favorites Variety Pack

Turkey Favorites Variety Pack

9 Lives

bronze #328 of 354 $0.14/oz

9 Lives Hearty Cuts with Real Turkey & Cheese in Gravy

Hearty Cuts with Real Turkey & Cheese in Gravy

9 Lives

bronze #1485 of 1701 $0.15/oz

9 Lives Tender Morsels with Real Chicken In Sauce

Tender Morsels with Real Chicken In Sauce

9 Lives

bronze #1476 of 1701 $0.15/oz

9 Lives Tender Morsels with Real Beef In Sauce

Tender Morsels with Real Beef In Sauce

9 Lives

bronze #1479 of 1701 $0.15/oz

Meow Mix Pate in Gravy with Real Chicken & Beef

Pate in Gravy with Real Chicken & Beef

Meow Mix

silver #793 of 1701 $0.26/oz

Sheba Perfect Portions Poultry Entrees Cuts in Gravy Variety Pack

Perfect Portions Poultry Entrees Cuts in Gravy Variety Pack

Sheba

bronze #289 of 354 $0.41/oz

Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Variety Pack

SmartBlend True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Variety Pack

Purina ONE

gold #42 of 190 $0.18/oz

Sheba Perfect Portions Chicken, Turkey, Tuna & Salmon Variety Pack Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy

Perfect Portions Chicken, Turkey, Tuna & Salmon Variety Pack Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy

Sheba

bronze #288 of 354 $0.41/oz

Scan your pet's food to check for Caramel Color and other flagged ingredients.