Brown HT

Food additives Europe numbers: E155 

Brown HT, also known as C.I. 20285 or disodium salt 4,4'-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene bisazo)di(naphthalene-1-sulfonate), falls more into the category of a food additive rather than a direct medical substance. Here's a breakdown of Brown HT:

  • Type: Synthetic azo dye (sometimes with subsidiary coloring matters) and sodium chloride/sulfate (uncolored components)
  • Function: Food coloring (E number E155)
  • Appearance: Brown powder
  • Solubility: Soluble in water

Safety:

Brown HT is generally considered safe for consumption by regulatory bodies like the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) when used within established acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits. However, some research suggests potential concerns, although more study is needed:

  • Limited research suggests a possible link between certain azo dyes (which Brown HT is) and cancer, but this needs further investigation.

Regulation:

Brown HT is generally approved for use as a food coloring additive in many countries, including:

  • European Union
  • United States (by the Food and Drug Administration)
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