THE SHELF LIFE OF SETHNESS LIQUID C

THE SHELF LIFE OF SETHNESS LIQUID CARAMEL COLORS
The shelf life of Sethness Caramel Color is defined by its ability to function as a color
additive.
The reactions that occur when caramel color is manufactured do not completely stop
when the product is cooled, standardized and put in containers for shipment.
Although nearly stopped, the reactions continue at a very slow rate. Over time, the
liquid caramel color will continue to increase in color, the pH may continue to fall
slowly and the viscosity will increase. These changes are very temperature dependent.
The higher the temperatures the faster the changes. Due to these ongoing changes,
the Sethness specification list the spec “as manufactured”. A lot that is released in
spec can grow to outside the specification but will still be acceptable for use. For some
caramel colors, a change may not be noticeable until after 4 or 5 years. For other
caramel colors, like caramels made from sucrose, the shelf life may be much less than
one year.
Even if the liquid caramel color has become very high in viscosity, but still liquid, it
can be dissolved in water and thus is still functional. As long as the caramel color is
dispersible in aqueous solutions, it is still functional as a coloring agent.