Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (c. 231)

ANNEX

E 131 PATENT BLUE V

Synonyms	CI Food Blue 5
Definition	Patent Blue V consists essentially of the calcium or sodium compound of [4-(α-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,4-disulfophenyl-methylidene)2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene] diethylammonium hydroxide inner salt and subsidiary colouring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulphate and/or calcium sulphate as the principal uncoloured components. The potassium salt is also permitted.
Colour Index No	42051
Einecs	222-573-8
Chemical name	The calcium or sodium compound of [4-(α-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,4-disulfophenyl-methylidene) 2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene] diethyl-ammonium hydroxide inner salt
Chemical formula	Calcium compound: C27H31N2O7S2Ca1/2 Sodium compound: C27H31N2O7S2Na
Molecular weight	Calcium compound: 579,72 Sodium compound: 582,67
Assay	Content not less than 85 % total colouring matters, calculated as the sodium salt 2 000 at ca. 638 nm in aqueous solution at pH 5
Description	Dark blue powder or granules
Appearance of the aqueous solution	Blue
Identification
Spectrometry	Maximum in water at 638 nm at pH 5
Purity
Water insoluble matter	Not more than 0,2 %
Subsidiary colouring matters	Not more than 2,0 %
Organic compounds other than colouring matters:
3-hydroxy benzaldehyde	Total not more than 0,5 %
3-hydroxy benzoic acid
3-hydroxy-4-sulfobenzoic acid
N,N-diethylamino benzene sulfonic acid
Leuco base	Not more than 4,0 %
Unsulfonated primary aromatic amines	Not more than 0,01 % (calculated as aniline)
Ether extractable matter	From a solution of pH 5 not more than 0,2 %
Arsenic	Not more than 3 mg/kg
Lead	Not more than 2 mg/kg
Mercury	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium	Not more than 1 mg/kg

Aluminium lakes of this colour may be used.