Brown HT (Brown HT), also known as Food Brown 3, is a synthetic brown food colorant approved for use in a variety of food and beverage products. It belongs to the azo dye class and is commonly used to impart brown color to a variety of foods. Brown HT and Carmoisine are the most commonly used dyes in medicine, textiles, cosmetics and food, and are important components of the azo family.
Identification
- INS No. 155
- E 155
- CAS number 4553-89-3
- (EC) No. 224-924-0
- UNII 067L3J47ID
- Molecular formula: C27H18N4Na2O9S2
physical description
Brown HT is a disazo dye that comes in the form of brown powder or granules. Mainly 4,4'-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene-disazo)bis-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid disodium salt and sodium chloride and/or Sodium sulfate auxiliary pigment serves as the main colorless component. This can be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.
Features and uses
color
Brown HT is a water-soluble dye that produces a reddish-brown to dark brown color when dissolved in water or other solvents.
Applications: It is commonly used in the food industry to color a variety of products, including beverages, candies, baked goods, desserts, sauces, gravies, and processed meats. It is also used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
stability
Brown HT is relatively stable to heat, light and pH changes, making it suitable for a wide range of food processing applications.
safety and regulation
regulatory status
The dye may contain undisclosed amounts of aluminum, which is suspected of causing dementia, hyperactivity, attention disorders, and acting as a female sex hormone. It can affect sexual function and lead to obesity.
Brown HT has been approved for use by the European Union and it is commonly used in Australia.
Brown HT is banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the United States, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined that certain groups of people are at higher risk from consuming too much E155 - Brown HT, mainly affecting young children and children .
It is one of the food colorings recommended by a support group for children with ADHD to be eliminated from British children's diets .
Labeling Requirements – Ingredients Statement
In most cases, food manufacturers are required to list the specific name of Brown HT on the product label or its numerical name in the ingredient list (E155).
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Like other food coloring additives, Brown HT also has an established ADI, which represents the amount that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without significant health risks. The ADI for Brown HT varies by regulatory agency and is usually expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.
- JECFA: ADI is 0-1.5 mg/kg body weight
- EU: ADI is 1.5 mg brown HT/kg body weight/day
Toxicity and allergies
Animal experimental studies have shown that high doses of brown HT can cause drowsiness and coma in rats and mice [1] .
Experimental animal studies have shown brown discoloration in some organs of the animals. However, there is no evidence of embryotoxicity or teratogenicity [2][3].
Animal experimental studies have shown that all doses of Brown HT are excreted in urine and feces within a few days after oral administration [3].
Animal experimental studies have shown that long-term daily intake of brown HT does not produce any carcinogenic effects [4].
Studies have shown that no adverse effects were observed from ingesting brown HT [5][6].
Brown HT is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum sources and may cause allergic reactions or intolerances in sensitive individuals. As with other food additives, individuals with known sensitivities or allergies to azo dyes should avoid products containing Brown HT.
Although the azo group is not toxic or carcinogenic under normal conditions, great care is required with these dyes due to the reduction of the azo functionality to the amine.
in conclusion
Brown HT is a commonly used synthetic food color additive that provides brown shades to a variety of food and beverage products. While it is considered safe for consumption within regulatory limits, individuals with known allergies should exercise caution when consuming products containing this dye. As with all food additives, recommended levels of use and labeling requirements must be followed to ensure food safety and integrity.
references
[1] Hall, D., Lee, F., & Fairweather, F. (1966). Acute (mouse and rat) and short-term (rat) toxicity studies on chocolate brown HT. Food and Cosmetics Toxicology, 4, 143 –149. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-6264(66)80457-1
[2] Grant, D., & Gaunt, I. (1987). Teratogenicity and embryotoxicity study of Brown HT in the rat. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 25(12), 1009–1011. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/0278-6915(87)90296-1
[3] Phillips, JC, Mendis, DB, & Gaunt, I. (1987). Metabolic disposition of 14C-labelled Brown HT in the rat, mouse and guinea-pig. Food and Chemical Toxicology , 25 (12), 1013–1019. https ://doi.org/10.1016/0278-6915(87)90297-3
[4] Carpanini, F., Butterworth, K., Gaunt, I., Kiss, IS, Grasso, P., & Gangolli, S. (1978). Long-term toxicity studies on chocolate brown HT in rats. Toxicology , 11 , 303 –314. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0300-483x(78)91839-5
[5] Hendy, R., Butterworth, K., Gaunt, I., Hooson, J., & Grasso, P. (1978). Short-term toxicity study of chocolate brown HT in pigs. Toxicology, 11, 189–192. https ://doi.org/10.1016/s0300-483x(78)91139-3
[6] Mangham, BA, Moorhouse, S., Grant, D., Brantom, P., & Gaunt, I. (1987). Three-generation toxicity study of rats ingesting Brown HT in the diet. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 25(12) ), 999–1007. https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-6915(87)90295-x
