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 was formerly used as a food dye, but still appears to be used for this purpose in China.

There are various names for Sudan Red G, including Brilliant Fat Scarlet R, C.I.

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