Black 7984
Also known as: E152, Food Black 2, carbon black
E152 (Black 7984 / Carbon Black hydrocarbon BG) is not authorized as a food color additive in the United States and is no longer on the EU list of permitted food colors (delisted by Directive 94/36/EC). It is therefore effectively banned for food use in major Western markets due to safety concerns from incomplete data and links of related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to carcinogenicity.
What it is
Black 7984 (E152), also known as Carbon Black hydrocarbon BG, is a synthetic black food colorant. It is delisted in both the US and EU.
Black/dark food coloring (historical).
Why it's flagged
- potential polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants
- not on FDA approved color additive list
- removed from EU permitted colors
What regulators actually say
"Listing of Color Additives Subject to Certification (Part 74) ... a color additive may not be used in food in the U.S. unless listed in 21 CFR Part 73, 74, or 82 with conditions of use."
"21 CFR Part 74 - Listing of Color Additives Subject to Certification (E152 is not listed in this part nor in Part 73 exempt-from-certification list)."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Not approved as food color additive; not listed in 21 CFR Parts 73, 74, or 81
European Union — EFSA
Not authorized; E152 removed from EU permitted food colors (Directive 94/36/EC)
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