Brilliant Black

Identifiers

INS No. 151
Black PN
E 151
CI Food Black 1
CAS 2519-30-4

Physical Description

Brilliant black is a bis-azo dye that occurs as black powder or granules. It consists of tetrasodium salt of 4-acetamido-5-hydroxy-6-([7-sulfonato-4-[((4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenyl]naphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl)naphthalene-1,7-disulfonate and subsidiary coloring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncolored components. Brilliant black PN may be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.

Common Uses

Brilliant black can be used to color confectionery, decorations and coatings, desserts including flavored milk products, edible cheese rind, edible ices, fine bakery wares, fish and fish products, non-alcoholic flavored drinks, non-dairy beverages, sauces and seasonings, and savory snacks.

Specifications

Regulatory Approvals

JECFA: ADI of 0-1 mg/kg bw (87th meeting, 2019). There are currently more than 20 food categories for which maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for brilliant black (INS No. 151) have been adopted in the General Standard of Food Additives.
USA: Never authorized for use in food, drugs or cosmetics.

EU: ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day (EFSA, 2010). Specific food categories and permitted maximum use levels for have been defined in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.

Safety Reviews

Safety evaluation of certain food additives (Eighty-seventh report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) WHO Food Additive Series, No. 78, 2020. Available online

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Brilliant Black BN (E 151) as a food additive on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2010;8(4):1540. [30 pp.]. Available online