Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormLiquid
Industry PositionFood Additive (Colour)
Market
In Chile, Caramelo I (plain caramel; SIN/INS 150a) appears in the Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos (RSA) as “Caramelo I - puro / Color caramelo natural, clase I” with use under BPF (GMP). Imports of foods and food ingredients are subject to health authority controls involving the SEREMI de Salud, and ChileAtiende describes a process where customs requires a Certificado de Destinación Aduanera (CDA) and, after warehousing, the importer requests an “autorización de uso y disposición”. Demand is primarily B2B, as a colouring input used by processed food and beverage manufacturers operating in Chile. The most common execution risk is regulatory and dossier mismatch (incorrect caramel class/identity, missing documents), which can delay or block clearance.
Market RoleImport-dependent ingredient market supporting domestic processed food and beverage manufacturing
Domestic RoleIndustrial colouring input used in domestic food and beverage production
Specification
Primary VarietyCaramelo I (plain caramel) — SIN/INS 150a (E150a)
Physical Attributes- Caramel may be supplied in liquid or solid form; colour ranges from dark brown to black (application-dependent).
Compositional Metrics- Identity and purity should align with JECFA specifications for Caramel Colour, Class I (INS 150a), supported by batch Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
- Buyer specifications commonly manage colour strength (tinting power), solids content, and application solubility (water compatibility for beverage use).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas manufacturer → international freight (typically sea) → Chile customs entry with CDA required → transfer to authorized warehouse → SEREMI authorization of use/disposition → delivery to industrial users
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighA mismatch between the imported product’s declared identity (Caramelo I / SIN-INS 150a) and Chile’s RSA additive listing/conditions (BPF/GMP) can lead to denial or delay of the SEREMI authorization needed to release imported foods for use and disposition.Ship with a dossier that explicitly maps the product to RSA “150 a Caramelo I - puro / Color caramelo natural, clase I (BPF)” and includes an INS 150a CoA aligned to JECFA specifications.
Documentation Gap MediumChileAtiende describes import procedures where customs requires a CDA and the importer later requests SEREMI authorization of use/disposition; missing required documents (e.g., invoice/transport document/warehouse authorization) can stall the clearance timeline.Pre-validate document completeness against the ChileAtiende CDA and UYD requirements and ensure the destination warehouse holds the required sanitary authorization before shipment arrival.
Food Safety MediumIndustrial buyers may reject shipments if colour performance or purity does not match agreed specifications, even when the additive is legally permitted under RSA and acceptable under Codex/JECFA frameworks.Agree colour strength and application specs in advance and require batch CoA (and, where relevant, third-party testing) before dispatch.
Logistics MediumOcean freight disruptions and port delays can extend lead times for bulk liquid ingredients, increasing the risk of production interruptions for domestic manufacturers if buffer stocks are low.Maintain safety stock and dual-source qualified suppliers; schedule shipments with extra lead-time around known congestion periods.
FAQ
Is Caramelo I (plain caramel, INS/SIN 150a) recognized as a permitted food colour additive in Chile?Yes. In Chile’s Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos (DS 977/96), the colourant list includes “150 a Caramelo I - puro / Color caramelo natural, clase I” with use under BPF (GMP).
What does Codex/JECFA say about Caramel Colour Class I (INS 150a)?Codex GSFA lists Caramel I (plain caramel, 150a) as a permitted colour additive in various food categories under GMP conditions, and the WHO JECFA database records an ADI “not specified” for Caramel Colour, Class I (INS 150a) when it meets the applicable specifications.
What are the key import-control steps mentioned for imported foods in Chile that can affect a food additive shipment?ChileAtiende describes that customs requires a Certificado de Destinación Aduanera (CDA) to move imported foods to a destination warehouse, and once the goods are in the warehouse the importer requests the SEREMI authorization of use and disposition. The CDA process references documents such as the commercial invoice, transport document, and the sanitary authorization of the storage warehouse.