Lithol Rubine BK
Also known as: Pigment Rubine, Carmine 6B, D&C Red No. 7
Colorants
Safety rating
Use Sparingly
Eat Away!Generally SafeUse SparinglyAvoid
Purpose and Function
Lithol Rubine BK is a synthetic red azo dye used almost exclusively to color the rinds of certain cheeses (such as Edam and other red-waxed cheeses), with very limited use elsewhere due to safety concerns.
Commonly found in
- —Cheese rinds (e.g. Edam)
Key functions
- —Provides a vibrant red color, primarily for cheese rind decoration
Potential Risks and Side Effects
- 01As an azo dye, may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals — skin rashes, hives, respiratory issues
- 02Restricted to specific low-ingestion uses like cheese rinds
- 03Not approved for food use in the United States and some other countries