D&C Green No. 5
D&C Green No. 5 suppliers and sourcing guide
D&C Green No. 5 is a water-soluble blue-green anthraquinone dye, principally the disodium salt of 2,2'-[(9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-1,4-anthracenediyl)diimino]bis[5-methylbenzenesulfonic acid]. It is a certified color for drugs, cosmetics and certain nylon surgical sutures, not food. Brands buy it as a straight dye for soaps, shampoos, mouthwashes and gels, and as a lake for powders and coatings.
- Category
- Colors
- Also known as
- Acid Green 25 · CI 61570 · CAS 4403-90-1
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of d&c green no. 5
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Straight color powder
The water-soluble sodium salt at a stated total color, dissolved before use in clear liquids and gels.
Aluminum lake
The dye laked onto alumina for powders and tablet coatings.
Liquid solution
Aqueous solutions at a stated dye percentage for soap, shampoo and mouthwash plants.
Suture grade
Material meeting the separate suture specification in 21 CFR 74.1205(b)(1), sold to device makers.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- FDA certification lot number
- Every batch of D&C Green No. 5 must carry an FDA certification lot number; check that the number on the COA, the certificate and the container match.
- Total color
- Pure dye content by spectrophotometry or titration against the 21 CFR part 74 minimum (not less than 80 percent); it sets how much color each kilogram delivers.
- Volatile matter and salts
- Volatile matter at 135 °C plus chlorides and sulfates (as sodium salts), which make up most of the non-dye portion of a straight color.
- Intermediates and subsidiary colors
- 1,4-Dihydroxyanthraquinone, sulfonated toluidines, p-toluidine and monosulfonated subsidiary colors by HPLC, against 21 CFR 74.1205.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic and mercury by ICP-MS or AAS, reported against the limits in the color additive regulation and the supplier specification.
- Shade and strength vs. standard
- Hue and color strength compared with the supplier's retained standard, by drawdown or spectrophotometer, to catch shade drift between lots.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store in the original sealed containers in a cool, dry place away from light and heat; powders cake in humid rooms, and dust should be controlled because small amounts stain other products and equipment. Shelf life is set by the supplier, with total color and appearance retested once past the retest date. Keep each container's FDA certification lot number with the stock so it can be traced into finished batches.
Lots and expiry dates
Record the FDA certification lot number and total color of each lot of D&C Green No. 5, and adjust dosing when dye content differs from the previous lot. Compare shade against a retained standard in the finished product, since subsidiary-color and particle-size differences can shift hue.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 74.1205 permits D&C Green No. 5 for coloring drugs generally, including drugs for use in the area of the eye.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 74.2205 permits D&C Green No. 5 for coloring cosmetics generally, including eye-area cosmetics.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 74.1205 permits it in nylon nonabsorbable surgical sutures at not more than 0.6 percent by weight of the suture.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)All batches of D&C Green No. 5 must be certified by FDA under 21 CFR part 80.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
D&C Green No. 5 suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking d&c green no. 5 suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell d&c green no. 5? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of d&c green no. 5 can brands buy?
Common forms include straight color powder, aluminum lake, liquid solution and suture grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for d&c green no. 5 include?
Expect fDA certification lot number, total color, volatile matter and salts, intermediates and subsidiary colors, heavy metals and shade and strength vs. standard, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should d&c green no. 5 be stored?
Store in the original sealed containers in a cool, dry place away from light and heat; powders cake in humid rooms, and dust should be controlled because small amounts stain other products and equipment. Shelf life is set by the supplier, with total color and appearance retested once past the retest date. Keep each container's FDA certification lot number with the stock so it can be traced into finished batches.
What is the regulatory status of d&c green no. 5?
21 CFR 74.1205 permits D&C Green No. 5 for coloring drugs generally, including drugs for use in the area of the eye. 21 CFR 74.2205 permits D&C Green No. 5 for coloring cosmetics generally, including eye-area cosmetics. 21 CFR 74.1205 permits it in nylon nonabsorbable surgical sutures at not more than 0.6 percent by weight of the suture. All batches of D&C Green No. 5 must be certified by FDA under 21 CFR part 80.
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