Brilliant Black BN

A synthetic deep black to purple-black water-soluble bisazo dye. Chemically the tetrasodium salt of an acetamido-naphthol-disulfonate-bisazo compound, listed in the EU as E151. Delivers a clean neutral black with strong tinctorial strength.

Black to bluish-black free-flowing fine powder. Water-soluble in the dye form, with the corresponding aluminum lake produced for fat-based and tablet-coating applications.

We supply food-grade Brilliant Black from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production. Both the soluble dye and the aluminum lake are produced. Buyers should verify destination market regulatory status, as the dye is not approved for food use in the United States, Canada, or Japan.

Common market grades are sold by dye content: pure dye at minimum 80 percent total coloring matter and aluminum lake at 10 percent to 40 percent dye content.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering total dye content, subsidiary colors, uncombined intermediates, heavy metals, and microbiology.

Brilliant Black BN was developed in the early twentieth century and approved for food use in Europe through the mid-twentieth century. It remains a permitted synthetic dye in the EU, UK, Australia, and many Commonwealth and Middle Eastern markets, but is not approved for food use in the United States, Canada, or Japan.

Production proceeds by sequential diazotization and coupling reactions on naphthol intermediates to construct the bisazo chromophore, followed by isolation as the tetrasodium salt and purification by recrystallization. The crude dye is standardized to declared total coloring matter content.

Regulated as E151 in the EU and approved by JECFA with an Acceptable Daily Intake of 5 mg per kg body weight. In the EU, products containing Brilliant Black are subject to category-specific use levels but are not included in the Southampton-related child-activity warning list.

Technical performance is good: stable through baking, retort, and pasteurization, broad pH compatibility from 3 to 9, excellent light stability, and compatibility with most food ingredients.

Strategically, Brilliant Black BN occupies the black-shade position in the synthetic palette in EU and adjacent markets, with Vegetable Carbon (E153) the principal clean-label and U.S.-compatible alternative.

• Black licorice and licorice-flavored confectionery; the dominant application of the dye
• Sugar confectionery and panned candies in black and very dark shades
• Sauces and condiments including HP-style brown sauces in EU markets
• Bakery decorations and decorative icings
• Surimi and seafood analogs requiring dark shading
• Caviar substitutes and roe analogs
• Pet food positioned for dark visual appeal
• Pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, and syrups
• Cosmetics and personal-care preparations