Is Direct Black 38 vegan?
Direct Black 38
CI Direct Black 38 is a synthetic benzidine-based azo dye historically used to dye textiles such as cotton, leather, and paper. It has been restricted or banned in many countries due to concerns over carcinogenicity linked to benzidine metabolites.
| Also known as | Disodium 4-amino-3-[[4'-[(2,4-diaminophenyl)azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]azo]-5-hydroxy-6-(phenylazo)naphthalene-2,7-disulphonate |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Direct Black 38 |
| CAS number | 1937-37-7 |
| EC number | 217-710-3 |
| CI number | CI 30235 |
| CosIng ID | 30014 |
| Last reviewed | 14 July 2026 |
An ingredient is considered vegan if it contains no animal-derived components at any point in its production.
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