Brilliant Black BN

Brilliant Black BN, Brilliant Black PN, Brilliant Black A, Black PN, Food Black 1, Naphthol Black, C.I. Food Black 1, or C.I. 28440, is a synthetic black diazo dye. It is soluble in water. It usually comes as tetrasodium salt. It has the appearance of solid, fine powder or granules. Calcium and potassium salts are allowed as well.

When used as a food dye, its E number is E151. It is used in food decorations and coatings, desserts, sweets, ice cream, mustard, red fruit jams, soft drinks, flavored milk drinks, fish paste, lumpfish caviar and other foods.

It appears to cause allergic or intolerance reactions, particularly amongst those with an aspirin intolerance. It is a histamine liberator, and may worsen the symptoms of asthma.

It is one of the colourants that the Hyperactive Children's Support Group recommends be eliminated from the diet of children. E151 has been banned in the United States, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Finland but approved in the European Union It was banned in Norway until 2001 when it was unbanned due to trade relationships with other countries.

It is used for staining animal by-products in category 2.