What is Sudan 4 and What are its effects?

Recently, in Kerala few Curry powder producing companies were accused of using Food Coloring Dye called Sudan IV.  Read the following to know more about the use of this dangerous carcinogenic substance and its harmful effects on human body

What is Sudan 4:
Sudan IV (C24H20N4O) is a lysochrome  (fat-soluble dye) diazo dye used for the staining of lipids, triglycerides and lipoproteins on frozen paraffin  sections. It has the appearance of reddish brown crystals with melting point 199 °C and maximum absorption at 520(357) nm.