INS No. 151
E 151
EINECS No. 219-746-5
CAS No. 2519-30-4
CI Food Black 1
CI No. 28440
Brilliant Black BN
Black PN
Brilliant black is a bis-azo dye that provides a blackish violet shade in applications.
Typical applications include beverages, confectionery, bakery, dairy fats and oil, meat, seafood, snacks, dry mixes and seasonings, fruit preparation, convenient food, and flavors.
EU Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has finalized authorization of brilliant black (INS No. 151) for use in 4 food categories, including flavored fluid milk drinks, confectionery, decorations, toppings (non-fruit) and sweet sauces and chewing gum as noted in the General Standard of Food Additives. Many other applications of brilliant black as a color additive in foods and beverages have been proposed and are pending authorization, following completion of the review and comments process.
EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Brilliant Black BN (E 151) as a food additive on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2010;8(4):1540. [30 pp.]. Available online
JECFA (WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives), 1981. 25th report Toxicological evaluation of some food additives. WHO Food Additives Series, 16. Available online
Evaluation of certain food additives (Eighty-seventh report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) WHO Technical Report Series, No. 1020, 2019. Available online.