Carbon Black
Also known as: Acetylene black, Channel black, Furnace black, Lamp black, Thermal black, C.I. Pigment Black 6, Vegetable Carbon
Colorants
Safety rating
Avoid
Eat Away!Generally SafeUse SparinglyAvoid
Purpose and Function
Carbon Black is a colorant used to give food products a deep black hue, primarily in confectionery and specialty baked goods, and widely used in cosmetics, rubber manufacturing, and inks.
Commonly found in
- —Candies, gum, and licorice
- —Specialty breads and cookies
- —Eyeliners, mascaras, and cosmetics (non-food)
Key functions
- —Provides a deep black coloring
Potential Risks and Side Effects
- 01Long-term inhalation exposure linked to lung tumors in animal studies; classified as a possible human carcinogen by IARC (primarily an occupational-exposure risk, not a food-ingestion one)
- 02Excessive ingestion may potentially cause gastrointestinal irritation
- 03Banned as a food additive in the United States; approved in limited quantities in the EU under strict regulation
References
- [1]IARC Monographs — carbon black — International Agency for Research on Cancer