Sudan Red G

Sudan Red G is a yellowish red lysochrome azo dye. It has the appearance of an odorless reddish-orange powder with melting point 225 °C. It is soluble in fats and used for coloring of fats, oils, and waxes, including the waxes used in turpentine-based polishes. It is also used in polystyrene, cellulose, and synthetic lacquers. It is insoluble in water. It is stable to temperatures of about 100-110 °C. It was used as a food dye. It is used in some temporary tattoos, where it can cause contact dermatitis. It is also used in hair dyes. It is a component of some newer formulas for red smoke signals and smoke-screens, together with Disperse Red 11.

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Other Names

There are various names for Sudan Red G, including Brilliant Fat Scarlet R, C.I. Food Red 16, C.I. Solvent Red I, C.I. 12150, Ceres Red G, Fat Red BG, Fat Red G. Lacquer Red V2G, Oil Pink, Oil Scarlet 389, Oil Vermilion, Oil Red G, Oleal Red G, Plastoresin Red FR, Red GD, Resinol Red G, Silotras Red TG, Solvent Red 1, Sudan R, and amethoxybenzenazo-β-naphthol (MBN).

Toxicity & Safety Issues

According to European Food Safety Authority, Sudan Red G is considered genotoxic and/or carcinogenic. [1]