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E151 Brilliant Black BN – Food Colouring

E151 (Brilliant Black BN) is a synthetic black food colouring approved in the EU, used to give various food products an intense black or blue-black colour.

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Things worth knowing about "E151"

E151 (Brilliant Black BN) is a synthetic black food colouring approved in the EU, used to give various food products an intense black or blue-black colour.

What is E151?

E151, also known as Brilliant Black BN or Black PN, is a synthetic azo dye used as a food additive to colour food products. It gives foods an intense black to blue-black colour and is approved for use in the European Union under the E-number 151. In several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Japan, E151 is not permitted as a food colouring.

Chemical Properties

E151 belongs to the group of azo dyes, characterised by the presence of an azo group (-N=N-). It is water-soluble and stable under light and heat, making it suitable for a wide range of food applications. The dye is produced entirely by chemical synthesis and does not occur naturally.

Use in Food Products

E151 is used in a variety of food products to achieve a black or very dark colour. Typical applications include:

Confectionery and sweets
Liqueurs and flavoured alcoholic beverages
Caviar-style products and fish roe substitutes
Decorative food items and bakery products
Certain sauces and condiments

Approval and Legal Regulations

In the European Union, E151 is approved under Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the dye and established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 5 mg per kilogram of body weight. Products containing E151 and other azo dyes must carry a warning label in the EU stating that the colouring may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

Health Aspects and Safety

Like all azo dyes, E151 has been the subject of scientific discussion regarding its health effects:

Hyperactivity in children: Studies, including the well-known Southampton study (2007), identified a possible link between the consumption of certain azo dyes and increased hyperactivity in children. This led to the mandatory warning label across the EU.
Allergic reactions: In individuals sensitive to azo dyes or with aspirin intolerance, allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itching, or, in rare cases, breathing difficulties may occur.
Pseudoallergic reactions: E151 can trigger pseudoallergic reactions in sensitive individuals, which closely resemble true allergies.

For the general population, E151 is considered safe when consumed within approved limits. However, parents of children with known sensitivities should carefully check food labels.

Identification on Food Labels

E151 must be declared on the ingredient list of food products either as E151 or by its name Brilliant Black BN. Products containing E151 are also required to carry the following warning: May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) - Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Brilliant Black BN (E 151) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2010.
McCann, D. et al. - Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, 2007.
Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.

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