| Additive Summary | Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) |
|---|---|
| Essence | Brilliant Blue FCF or E133 is a synthetic triarylmethane dye used primarily as a source of blue color. It can be added to food, supplements, medicine, even cosmetics, and all kinds of other stuff, too. |
| Names | FD&C Blue No. 1, CI 42090, Food Blue 2, C.I. Acid Blue 9, D&C Blue No. 4, Alzen Food Blue No. 1, Patent Blue AR, Xylene Blue VSG, Atracid Blue FG, BB FCF, C-Blau 21, Erioglaucin A, Bleu Brillant FCF, CAS 25305-78-6, Brilliant Blue FCF, E133, and others. |
| Sourcing | It’s fully synthetically made out of coal tar. |
| Manufacturing | This artificial color is created by condensation of a mixture of 2-Formylbenzenesulfonic acid and aniline (coal tar). The outcome of that then undergoes oxidation. |
| Application | Coloring (blue, very water-soluble). It can be mixed with Tartrazine (E102) to create all kinds of green. |
| Acceptable Daily Intake | It’s marketed as safe in amounts up to 6 milligrams a day on every kilogram of body weight. But it really isn’t. Ideally, we shouldn’t ever consume the FD&C Blue No. 1. |
| Side Effects | Studies have shown that it can cause cancer, malignant tumors, asthma, and hyperactivity. It’s also linked to all kinds of allergic reactions, and as an artificial coloring, it even works as a neurotoxin, and more. It has been banned in countries like Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and Sweden. |
| Benefits | None. |
| Studies | 2550+ studies on Pubmed. Less than 10 studies on safety. |
| Allergens | None. |
| Diet Restrictions | None. |
| Assessment (As An Additive) |
Seriously Harmful. | Category 5 Additive. |
| Products | It’s pretty common in supplements and medicine. It is also used in processed foods like food decorations, chewing gum, sweets, cakes, candy, breakfast cereal, dairy products, soft drinks, and others. |
