SYNONYMS	AMARANTH * C. I. FOOD RED 9 * FD & C RED 2 * ACID RED 27
DEFINITION	Amaranth consists essentially of trisodium 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo) naphthalene-3,6-disulfonate and subsidary colouring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncoloured components.
	Amaranth is described as the sodium salt. The calcium and the potassium salt are also permitted.
CLASS	Monoazo
COLOUR INDEX NO.	16185
EEC NUMBER	E-123
EINECS	213-022-2
CHEMICAL NAMES	Trisodium 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo) naphthalene-3,6-disulfonate
CHEMICAL FORMULA	C20H11N2Na3O10S3
MOLECULAR WEIGHT	604.48
ASSAY	Content not less than 85% total colouring matters, calculated as the sodium salt;
	E 1% 1cm 440 at ca 520 nm in aqueous solution.
DESCRIPTION	Reddish - brown powder
IDENTIFICATION
a. Spectrometry	Maximum in water at ca 520 nm
b. Red solution in water
PURITY	Not more than 0.2%
Water Insoluble matter
Subsidiary colouring matters	Not more than 3.0%
Organic compounds other than colouring matters	[4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid/3-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid / 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid / 7-hydroxynaphthalene-1,3-disulfonic acid / 7- hydroxynaphthalene-1,3-6-trisulfonic acid] - Total not more than 0.5%
Unsulfonated primary aromatic amines	Not more than 0.01% (Calculated as aniline)
Ether extractable matter	Not more than 0.2% Under neutral conditions
Arsenic	Not more than 3 mg/kg.
Lead	Not more than 10 mg/kg.
Mercury	Not more than 1 mg/kg.
Cadmium	Not more than 1 mg/kg.
Heavy metals (as Pb)	Not more than 40 mg/kg.