E151 Brilliant Black BN (Black PN)

E151ColorsOrigin: Lab-made

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The short answer

Brilliant Black BN (E151) is a synthetic black dye allowed in Europe and absent from US and Canadian food. It is not one of the dyes that trigger Europe's hyperactivity warning.

41/100

Best to avoid

Controversial, restricted or banned somewhere.

E-numberE151

Comes fromLab-made

What it doesColors

Glycemic index—

Daily limit5 mg/kg

Also calledBrilliant Black BN, Brilliant Black PN

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved

🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive

CaliforniaNo extra rules

Brilliant Black BN is authorized in the EU. EFSA confirmed a daily limit of 5 mg per kg of body weight in 2010. It is not a permitted color in US or Canadian food, so it shows up mainly in imported products.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

Body weight: 70 kg

350 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 5 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 100 mg a day.

What is it?

Brilliant Black BN turns sauces, candy and fish-roe products a deep brown-black. It is often blended with other dyes when a recipe needs a darker shade than caramel alone.

Where it comes from: Brilliant Black BN is a synthetic azo dye. Its black shade comes from a manufactured molecule, not from charcoal or burnt sugar.

Why it’s in food

Darkens sauces and gravies
Colors black candy
Shades fish roe
Deepens brown baked goods

Often found in

Soy-style saucesLicorice candyFish roeChocolate cake mixesImported condimentsIce cream coatings

Also listed as: Brilliant Black BN, Brilliant Black PN, Black PN, CI 28440, Food Black 1

Health & gut impact

Azo sensitivityUnder study

A few people who react to aspirin or other azo dyes also react to Brilliant Black BN, usually with hives.

EFSA re-evaluation of Brilliant Black BN (2010)

IntakeConcern

EFSA judged typical intakes of Brilliant Black BN to sit under its 5 mg per kg daily limit.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2010)

Dark foods without this dye

Clean-label swaps

Pantry staple

Black cocoa powder

Dutch-processed cocoa darkens cakes without a black dye.

Shop black cocoa Opens your country’s Amazon store

Pantry staple

Black sesame seeds

A food black for crusts and noodles, with a nutty taste.

Shop black sesame Opens your country’s Amazon store

Clean grocery swap

Licorice without artificial color

Look for molasses or caramel on the label instead of E151.

Shop black licorice Opens your country’s Amazon store

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What can I use instead?

Plain caramel

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Sauces and baked goods

Vegetable carbon

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Black candy and decorations

More colors:

Allura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoid Amaranth dye E123Amaranth dye (E123) is a synthetic red that the US banned in 1976. Europe still allows tiny uses. It is not the amaranth seed sold as a gluten-free grain.Best to avoid Ammonia caramel (Caramel III) E150cAmmonia caramel (E150c) is the caramel class made with ammonia and no sulfite, common in beer. It is approved, but like cola caramel it can contain 4-MEI, which California lists under Proposition 65.Use in moderation Annatto E160bAnnatto (E160b) is a natural orange color from achiote seeds. It's what makes cheddar orange. It's safe and vegan, though it's one of the few natural colors that can trigger allergies.Generally safe

Common questions

Does Brilliant Black BN need the EU hyperactivity warning?

No. That warning covers six specific dyes, and Brilliant Black BN is not one of them.

Is Brilliant Black BN safe?

Best to avoid (41/100). Brilliant Black BN is authorized in the EU. EFSA confirmed a daily limit of 5 mg per kg of body weight in 2010. It is not a permitted color in US or Canadian food, so it shows up mainly in imported products.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

EFSA OpenFoodTox: E151
EFSA re-evaluation of Brilliant Black BN (2010)
EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2010)

INS 151 · CAS 2519-30-4