Eat or Avoid
E151

Brilliant Black BN

Also known as: Food Black 1, Black PN

Colorants

Safety rating

Use Sparingly

Eat Away!Generally SafeUse SparinglyAvoid

Purpose and Function

Brilliant Black BN is a synthetic black azo dye valued for its intense, stable color, used to provide a deep black hue and often blended with other dyes to create browns and dark grays.

Commonly found in

  • Licorice and jelly
  • Sauces and desserts
  • Ice creams and certain beverages

Key functions

  • Provides a deep, stable black color
  • Blends with other dyes for brown/gray shades

Potential Risks and Side Effects

  1. 01Can cause allergic reactions, particularly in those with azo dye sensitivity or asthma
  2. 02Linked to hyperactivity in children; EU warning label required
  3. 03EFSA has set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 5 mg/kg body weight

References

    Related Additives