Brilliant Black BN E151
synthetic — Primarily azo dye.
Tetrasodium 4-acetamido-5-hydroxy-6-[[7-sulfonato-4-[(4-sulfonatophenyl)azo]-1-naphthyl]azo]naphthalene-1,7-disulfonate
CAS: 2519-30-4
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
? Did You Know?
Beyond food, Brilliant Black BN is also used in cosmetics, industrial applications. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.
Regulatory opinions differ: Brilliant Black BN is approved in EU but banned in USA, JAPAN, CANADA. This reflects different risk assessment philosophies between regions.
To reach the Acceptable Daily Intake limit, a 60kg adult would need to consume approximately ~6 servings of black-colored confectionery (50g) in a single day. (This is a mathematical illustration, not a safety recommendation.)
Regulatory Analysis
Brilliant Black BN exemplifies a pattern where EU approval persists for dyes that most other developed nations have banned, sustained partly by the absence of strong positive evidence of harm rather than strong evidence of safety. The ban in the USA, Japan, Canada, and Australia reflects a regulatory judgment that the limited toxicological database for a bis-azo dye -- a structural class with known concerns about aromatic amine metabolites -- does not justify continued market access. Norway's reversal of its own ban due to EU harmonization pressures demonstrates how trade relationships can override independent national safety assessments.
Detailed Regulatory Assessment
European Union (EFSA)
Permitted in specific food categories with maximum levels
United States (FDA)
Never authorized for use in food, drugs or cosmetics due to safety concerns
Japan (MHLW)
Prohibited in Japan
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
International Standard (JECFA)
mg/kg body weight per day
European Standard (EFSA)
Everyday Perspective
For a 60kg adult, this limit is roughly equivalent to consuming:
Natural Occurrence
This additive is not known to occur naturally in significant quantities.
Manufacturing
Synthesized through diazotization and azo coupling reactions. As a bis-azo dye, it contains two azo bonds (N=N functional groups), created through coupling reactions between diazonium salts and aromatic compounds. The resulting tetrasodium salt is water-soluble and provides an intense black color.
Applications Beyond Food
Used in some cosmetic products in regions where approved
Used in textile dyeing and industrial applications