It has the appearance of solid, fine powder or granules.

It is used in food decorations and coatings, desserts, sweets, ice cream, mustard, red fruit jams, soft drinks, flavored milk drinks, fish paste, lumpfish caviar and other foods.

[1] Brilliant Black BN is used for staining animal by-products in category 2.

[clarification needed] Brilliant Black BN is approved in the European Union.

[citation needed] Brilliant Black BN was banned in Norway until 2001 when it was unbanned due to trade relationships with other countries.