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

Sheba Gravy Indulgence Chicken Entree in Extra Gravy

Gravy Indulgence Chicken Entree in Extra Gravy

Sheba

silver #1078 of 1701 $0.45/oz

Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Adult Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy

Perfect Portions Healthy Adult Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Cuts in Gravy

Iams

gold #547 of 1701 $0.33/oz

Fancy Feast Gems Mousse Salmon, Tuna, Chicken & Beef Halo of Savory Gravy Variety Pack Pate

Gems Mousse Salmon, Tuna, Chicken & Beef Halo of Savory Gravy Variety Pack Pate

Fancy Feast

silver #141 of 354 $0.50/oz

Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables

Adult Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #774 of 861 $0.29/oz

Blue Buffalo Family Favorite Grain-Free Recipes Shepherd's Pie

Family Favorite Grain-Free Recipes Shepherd's Pie

Blue Buffalo

silver #389 of 861 $0.24/oz

Hill's Science Diet Adult Turkey & Liver Casserole Recipe

Adult Turkey & Liver Casserole Recipe

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #1608 of 1701 $0.71/oz

Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Breed & Mini Breed Savory Stew Chicken & Vegetable

Puppy Small Breed & Mini Breed Savory Stew Chicken & Vegetable

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #843 of 861 $0.86/oz

9 Lives Turkey Favorites Variety Pack

Turkey Favorites Variety Pack

9 Lives

bronze #328 of 354 $0.14/oz

Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Weight Management Liver & Chicken Entree

Adult Light Weight Management Liver & Chicken Entree

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #1266 of 1701 $0.46/oz

Hill's Science Diet Senior Adult 7+ Tender Tuna Recipe

Senior Adult 7+ Tender Tuna Recipe

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #1359 of 1701 $0.71/oz

Iams Advanced Health Mobility Support Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe

Advanced Health Mobility Support Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe

Iams

bronze #885 of 1163 $0.13/oz

Snappy Tom Lites Tuna with Salmon

Lites Tuna with Salmon

Snappy Tom

gold #341 of 1701 $0.53/oz

Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Ocean Fish Recipe

Adult Tender Ocean Fish Recipe

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #1548 of 1701 $0.71/oz

Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Dinner Variety Pack

Adult Tender Dinner Variety Pack

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #330 of 354 $0.46/oz

Iams Proactive Health Minichunks Adult Lamb & Rice

Proactive Health Minichunks Adult Lamb & Rice

Iams

bronze #815 of 1163 $0.10/oz

Iams Proactive Health Large Breed Adult with Real Chicken

Proactive Health Large Breed Adult with Real Chicken

Iams

bronze #958 of 1163 $0.10/oz

Friskies Glaz’d & Infuz’d Wet Cat Food Variety Pack with Chicken, Crab or Shrimp

Glaz’d & Infuz’d Wet Cat Food Variety Pack with Chicken, Crab or Shrimp

Friskies

bronze #337 of 354 N/A

9 Lives Chicken & Ocean Fish

Chicken & Ocean Fish

9 Lives

bronze #466 of 558 $0.15/oz

Pedigree Drizzlers Savory Sauce Multipack Natural Turkey Flavor

Drizzlers Savory Sauce Multipack Natural Turkey Flavor

Pedigree

bronze #156 of 190 $0.02/oz

Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew Hearty Beef Stew

Blue’s Stew Hearty Beef Stew

Blue Buffalo

silver #572 of 861 $0.24/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

9 Lives 9 Lives Real Beef Pate

9 Lives Real Beef Pate

9 Lives

bronze #1583 of 1701 $0.13/oz

9 Lives Gravy Favorites Variety Pack

Gravy Favorites Variety Pack

9 Lives

bronze #326 of 354 $0.14/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

Hill's Science Diet Kitten Tender Chicken Dinner

Kitten Tender Chicken Dinner

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #1422 of 1701 $0.48/oz

Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula

Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula

Purina Pro Plan

silver #228 of 558 $0.28/oz

Purina ONE +Plus Adult High-Protein Healthy Weight Formula Turkey Formula

+Plus Adult High-Protein Healthy Weight Formula Turkey Formula

Purina ONE

bronze #835 of 1163 $0.10/oz

Iams Proactive Health High Protein Chicken & Beef

Proactive Health High Protein Chicken & Beef

Iams

gold #148 of 1163 $0.10/oz

Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Senior 7+ High Protein

Indoor Advantage Senior 7+ High Protein

Purina ONE

bronze #421 of 558 $0.16/oz

Hill's Science Diet Adult Turkey & Liver Entree

Adult Turkey & Liver Entree

Hill's Science Diet

bronze #1369 of 1701 $0.48/oz

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